Some posts may contain affiliate links which means our team could earn money if you purchase products from our site.
Disneyland Proposes Benefits Cuts for Character Performers
Contract negotiations between the Disneyland Resort and Magic United—the union representing roughly 1,700 character performers, parade cast members, and hosts under Actors’ Equity Association—have reached a contentious point. A recent report from the Los Angeles Times reveals that Disney’s latest contract proposal omits paid parental leave, cuts paid holidays, and reduces company 401(k) matching.
Negotiations have been ongoing since October 2024, following the performers’ historic vote to unionize earlier that year. However, recent proposals from Disney management have drawn sharp criticism from union representatives and cast members.
According to internal communications reviewed by the Los Angeles Times, Disney’s latest offer to Magic United includes the following terms:
- Elimination of Paid Parental Leave: Disney’s proposal explicitly excludes paid parental leave. While cast members previously received paid parental leave prior to unionizing, Disney noted in an April 6 email to union leadership, “Our proposal does not include Paid Parental Leave.”
- Reduction in Paid Holidays: The proposal reduces paid holidays for full-time performers from 12 days to 11 days annually, specifically removing Easter as a paid holiday.
- 401(k) Match Cut: Disney proposed reducing its matching contributions to employee 401(k) retirement plans.
- Shift Trading Restrictions: New limits would be placed on how often performers can give away or trade shifts without prior managerial approval—a flexible system that performers noted is crucial during pregnancy or physical recovery.
- No Year-One Pay Raise: Disney’s proposal does not include a wage increase for the first year of the contract, though annual raises have been standard in prior years.
In response to the details, Disneyland Resort spokesperson Jessica Jakary issued a statement emphasizing that Disney values its cast members and offers competitive benefits:
“Disneyland Resort values its cast members, offers competitive benefits and is proud of its long history of working collaboratively with the unions that represent them.”
Jakary clarified that because this is a brand-new, first-time contract negotiating initial terms—rather than altering an existing union contract—Disney views the process as establishing new ground rules rather than “cutting” existing union benefits. She added that 11 paid holidays match what over 80% of Disneyland Resort employees currently receive. Addressing parental leave, Jakary noted that California provides state disability payments for parental leave, whereas states like Florida (where Walt Disney World union performers do receive company-paid parental leave) do not.
Actors’ Equity Association pushed back strongly against Disney’s rationale. Al Vincent Jr., Executive Director of Actors’ Equity, commented on the proposal:
“They are trying to strip away the very things that make the Disneyland experience what it is. When you propose to take away paid parental leave from those who work day in and day out to give other families great experiences, that’s not family friendly.”
Union representatives also noted that California state disability benefits should not serve as a justification to remove previously offered company benefits.
As negotiations continue, performers and union representatives remain vocal about securing sustainable working conditions, competitive wages, and family support benefits.
Ready to book your next Disneyland vacation? Contact our partners at Get Away Today!
Let our friends at Get Away Today help you book your next Disney or Universal Vacation. They are the preferred Travel Agency of Chip and Company and Disney Addicts, and who we use ourselves.
For the BEST in Disney, Universal, Dollywood, and SeaWorld Theme Park News, Entertainment, Merchandise & More follow us on, Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and Youtube.
