Actors who portray Disney’s most iconic characters at the company’s California theme park have filed for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board.
According to a statement from the Disney workers Wednesday, two-thirds of the more than 1,700 eligible staffers have signed an election petition with the NLRB and are ready to vote for a union. Walt Disney Co. can voluntarily recognize the union, which workers have dubbed Magic United, but hasn’t done so.
“We support our cast members’ right to a confidential vote that recognizes their individual choices,” the company said in a statement Wednesday.
Magic United will be formed under the larger Actors’ Equity Association, which already represents hundreds of the company’s performers at Disney World in Florida.
The performers announced their plans to unionize in February, citing safety, pay and scheduling as their primary concerns.
Most of the other workers at Disney’s California park already have union representation, while the performers have been nonunion since the park’s opening in 1955.
• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.
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