Mickey Mouse Fist at Center of Disneyland Union Dispute
Disneyland workers and management are at odds over a union button featuring Mickey Mouse’s white gloved fist. The symbol of solidarity is being used by workers in ongoing contract negotiations for over 13,000 employees.
Related – Landslide Victory for Disneyland Resort Cast Members Who Vote to Unionize
Disneyland’s union, representing over 13,000 workers, filed unfair labor practice charges against the park. The move comes after more than 500 employees were disciplined for wearing union buttons featuring Mickey’s raised fist. The charges will be investigated by the National Labor Relations Board.
According to Disney officials, “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.”
Disneyland enforces a ‘Disney Look’ policy, requiring cast members to remove non-approved items. Repeated violations could lead to disciplinary action, but Disneyland says few workers have faced it so far.
The union argues a 1945 Supreme Court ruling protects workers’ right to wear union insignia despite dress code policies. While Disneyland’s “Disney Look” guidelines, once strictly regulating everything from hairstyles to jewelry, have loosened in recent years to promote diversity, the union apparently believes these buttons fall under protected speech.
Since April, a union coalition representing Disneyland’s “cast members” (employees) – ride operators, store clerks, custodians, candy makers, and more – has been negotiating a new contract with Disney. The current contract expires on June 16th.
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