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By Don Chmielewski
ANAHEIM, Calif. (Reuters) – Unions representing 14,000 Disneyland employees said on Wednesday they have reached a temporary labor agreement with Walt Disney. Disney (NYSE:), avoiding a shutdown of the theme park.
The new three-year agreement, which includes pay raises and other benefits for park employees referred to as “cast members,” was signed by a coalition of unions representing park curators, ride operators, merchandise employees and other workers at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California.
“Team members have fought hard over the past four months, and this interim agreement would not have been possible without the strength we have all shown throughout this process and the unwavering support of guests and community members,” the unions said in a statement.
Disney confirmed the tentative agreement in a statement to Reuters: “We care deeply about the well-being of our cast members… and we are pleased to have reached a tentative agreement with the Master Services Council that addresses what matters most to our cast.”
Union members who work at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure theme parks, the Downtown Disney retail district and Disney hotels voted overwhelmingly Friday to allow the union to call a strike if a deal is not reached.
Disneyland’s unionized employee contracts expire June 16, while the agreement covering Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney workers expires Sept. 30.
The interim agreement is scheduled to be voted on Monday.
“We have shown Disney that we are the true magic makers of the theme park and today we prove that when workers stand together for what they deserve, we win,” the unions said in a joint statement. “We look forward to making our voices heard during the voting process to ratify this contract.”
