Hundreds of employees at Disney’s theme parks and resorts in Southern California introduced late Friday night time that they’ve licensed a strike, citing alleged unfair labor practices throughout current contract negotiations.

4 unions representing greater than 14,000 employees at Disneyland, Disney California Journey, Downtown Disney and Disney-owned accommodations introduced the walkout, saying its members overwhelmingly voted in favor after tons of of alleged labor violations by Disney “interfered with the unions getting the honest contract solid members deserve.” They stated of the members who participated within the vote, 99% voted in favor of authorizing the strike; nevertheless, a precise quantity was not launched.

“At the moment’s overwhelming unfair labor apply strike authorization vote sends a transparent message to the corporate: we’re stronger collectively and won’t be divided by scare ways,” the Disney Employees Rising Bargaining Committee stated in a press release on Friday, including: “We make the theme parks’ earnings and the magic you discover throughout the resort. However as an alternative of rewarding our onerous work and dedication, Disney is intimidating, surveilling, and unlawfully disciplining members, harming our negotiations and our skill to get the contract we deserve.”

The authorization doesn’t imply a strike will occur instantly and each side may attain a deal. If a strike does occur, it could be the primary at Disneyland in 40 years.

“We’re fed up with being pushed round by Disney and are able to combat again in opposition to its unfair labor practices,” David Hernandez, who’s a member of the bargaining committee and monorail operator, stated in a press release.

The unions stated they’ve been negotiating a brand new contract with Disney since April 24. Practically two months later, on June 10, Disney employees introduced that they’d filed unfair labor apply prices in opposition to the corporate. The costs, regarding greater than 675 employees, at the moment are being investigated by the Nationwide Labor Relations Board.

Forward of the vote, tons of of Disneyland workers protested outdoors the world-famous theme park on July 17, calling for higher wages and denouncing anti-union practices.

A Disneyland consultant instructed CBS Information in a press release that the strike authorization shouldn’t be uncommon as a part of a negotiation course of and that the corporate seems ahead to persevering with discussions in upcoming conferences on Monday and Tuesday.

“We enormously admire the vital roles our solid members play in creating memorable experiences for our company, and we stay dedicated to reaching an settlement that focuses on what issues most to them whereas positioning Disneyland Resort for development and job creation,” the consultant stated, including that the parks proceed to welcome company.

The 4 unions that signify the employees are the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Employees and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Native 83; the Service Staff Worldwide Union-United Service Employees West (SEIU-USWW); the Teamsters Native 495; and the United Meals and Business Employees (UFCW) Native 324.

They stated they’re looking for honest wages, a good attendance coverage, seniority will increase and secure parks for solid members. The unions cited financial hardship for his or her members, together with meals and housing insecurity.

“As an alternative of rewarding our onerous work and dedication, Disney is intimidating, surveilling, and unlawfully disciplining members, harming our negotiations and our skill to get the contract we deserve,” the bargaining committee stated.

The contract for solid members at Disneyland expired on June 16 whereas the contract for Disney California Journey and Downtown Disney employees expires on September 30.

The bargaining committee stated it’s dedicated to negotiations on Monday and Tuesday, however stated the strike authorization permits it to name a strike at any time.