(ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA) – The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has announced Disneyland Resort Cast Members who perform as characters or dance in parades and the Hosts, Leads and Trainers who create magic alongside them, have voted to be represented by Actors' Equity Association.

For the Union to become the Bargaining Agent for this group of 1,700 Workers Equity needed to receive 50% plus one vote of those who cast ballots.  However, it finalized as a landslide victory as the Union far exceeded the threshold it needed to win with 79% of those voting casting ballots for the Union.  The unofficial vote count was 953 for Unionizing to 258 opposed.

If there are no election challenges, the NLRB's Regional Director will certify the results in the coming days.

Actors' Equity Association President Kate Shindle said: "They say that Disneyland is 'the place where dreams come true’ and for the Disney Cast Members who have worked to organize a Union, their dream came true today.  These Workers are on the front lines of the Guest experience.  They're the human beings who create lifelong memories when your kids hug a character or when your family watches a parade roll by the castle.  The next step will be to collaborate with them about improving health and safety, wages, benefits, working conditions and job security.  After that we will meet with representatives of the Walt Disney Company to negotiate those priorities into a first contract."

Actors’ Equity has had a good working relationship with Disney and currently represents Performers and Stage Managers at Walt Disney World in Orlando, and with Disney Theatricals on Broadway and on national tours.

Most of the Disneyland Resort's Workforce is already Unionized, with those working in the Characters and Parades Departments being a notable exception - until now.

"This is an incredible victory and we appreciate all the support over the past several weeks. We're excited about the next phase," Shindle said. "These Cast Members are both Pro-Union and Pro-Disney and they're looking forward to meeting with their employer across the bargaining table in a good faith effort to make both the work experience and the Guest experience better."

The Disneyland Resort, which includes Disneyland Park and Disney's California Adventure as well as three hotels and Downtown Disney, opened in 1955 and has become one of the most attended themed entertainment attractions in the world.

Actors' Equity represents more than 51,000 Professional Actors and Stage Managers.

To Directly Access this Labor News Report, Go To: In a Landslide Victory 1,700 Disneyland Resort Cast Members Who Perform as Characters and Dance in Parades Vote to Unionize with Actors' Equity Association  · Actors' Equity Association (actorsequity.org)