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Disneyland cast members, particularly those working in the resort’s Characters and Parades departments, can vote on whether to unionize starting today.
Voting will take place at various locations at the Disneyland Resort until May 18.
Voting results are expected to be announced on Saturday.
In February, cast members in the departments announced their intent to unionize with the Actors’ Equity Association, also known as Equity.
During that time, cast members who work in the departments began circulating union authorization cards to 1,700 of their colleagues. The group is known as “Magic United.”
The concerns among cast members noted in a statement revolve around “safe and sanitary workplace conditions, a fair wage and more transparency in scheduling and rehiring decisions.”
“When we can speak with a collective voice, we can have a clearer, more productive conversation with our employer. Ultimately, this will result in a better experience for all – Cast Members, managers and more importantly, our guests,” leaders of Magic United said in a statement.
Other departments around the Disneyland Resort, like food and beverage, have also unionized. Character and Parade cast members at Walt Disney World in Florida have been unionized since the early 1980s.
More information on the group, including voting locations, can be found here.