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LEGO Store Staff at Downtown Disney Start Union Drive
LEGO Store workers, known as “brick specialists,” at Downtown Disney are publicly launching an effort to form a union. On a Monday morning, roughly two dozen union organizers and employees gathered at the Anaheim store to give management a union petition. This marks the first time U.S. retail LEGO store workers have tried to unionize.
Related – Explore Downtown Disney in Disneyland
“We want to build the best workplace possible here at Downtown Disney,” said Hunter Gulino, a three-year “brick specialist.” Referencing the LEGO Group’s mission statement, Gulino added, “There are issues we believe a union will help us resolve.”
The union campaign began in March when Gulino contacted organizers at United Food and Commercial Workers Local 324 (UFCW), the same union representing Disney theme park retail workers. The effort was also spurred by the Anaheim Resort district’s minimum wage law, which covers both theme park and Downtown Disney retail employees. This compliance came after a lengthy court battle and a recent court approval of a $233-million class-action settlement paid by The Walt Disney Co.
While LEGO responded to the Anaheim wage law (Measure L) by raising wages and issuing back pay, employees claim the company subsequently cut their hours. “Brick specialists”—who handle everything from engaging with guests and working the register to stocking products—believe this was a move to offset the pay increases.
“I was at the store a whole lot more before Measure L,” said Hunter Gulino. Melissa Gonzalez, a four-year brick specialist, added, “After raises and back pay, they seemingly cut our hours down so they would not have to pay out so much for their employees.”
Scheduling and pay are not the only issues; poor working conditions are also fueling the fight. Workers cited a long-standing problem with the store’s air conditioning, which was particularly difficult during the recent summer heat. According to Gulino, the downstairs area—where “a sea of guests” browses products—gets “very hot” due to poor circulation, a problem one coworker claims has persisted for five years.
Despite the workplace complaints, employees emphasize their commitment to the store and its mission. Hunter Gulino says he loves creating “magical moments” for guests—whether helping them build LEGO recreations of Disneyland ducks or churros. “We have so many awesome guests… It makes work feel a lot easier, just because the guests are so awesome.”
Ultimately, the union drive is about securing a voice in the workplace. Melissa Gonzalez summarized the goal: “I want to be a part of setting a precedent for my workplace and for any other future Lego employees… I want to make sure that Lego employees are treated with respect and are compensated fairly. It’s a place that we love to work at.”
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