A Mickey Mouse button with the Disney icon’s white gloved hand raised in a fist as a symbol of fighting oppression is pitting workers against managers at Disneyland as union negotiations continue over a new contract for more than a third of the 35,000 park employees.
Master Services Council, which represents 13,000 Disneyland employees from four unions, filed unfair labor practice charges on Tuesday, June 11 on behalf of more than 500 workers who were disciplined for wearing union buttons with Mickey’s raised fist.
The charges will be investigated by the National Labor Relations Board, according to Master Services.
Today, Disney cast members announced that they have filed unfair labor practice charges against Disney on behalf of 13,000 workers at the resort for unlawful discipline, intimidation and surveillance of union members exercising their right to wear union buttons at work. pic.twitter.com/gg7CUk6JUh
— DisneyWorkersRising (@disneyrising24) June 11, 2024
“Disneyland Resort cast members may only wear buttons and pins that are a part of their costumes while at work so that the show is maintained for our guests,” according to Disneyland officials.
Disneyland cast members may be asked to remove any item that’s not part of the Disney Look and could receive a verbal warning and disciplinary action for repeated violations, according to Disneyland officials.
Less than a handful of Disneyland cast members have received disciplinary action to date, according to Disneyland officials.
The union cited a 1945 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allows employees to wear union insignia at work even if they must follow a dress code.
Disney Look dress code guidelines that famously regulate on-stage costumes, hairstyles, mustaches, beards, sideburns, nail polish and jewelry have been loosened in recent years to introduce more diversity and inclusivity into Disney’s theme parks, workforce and company culture.
The union coalition — which has been negotiating with Disney over a new contract since April — represents ride operators, store clerks, custodians, candy makers and other cast members, Disney parlance for employees. The contract expires June 16.