(Bloomberg) -- Four unions representing 14,000 workers at Walt Disney Co.’s Disneyland resort in Anaheim, California, will hold a strike authorization vote on July 19. The results will be announced the next day.
The employees, who include food service workers and other staffers at the company’s theme parks, stores and hotels, have been negotiating a new contract since April. They’re seeking higher pay and changes to their work rules.
Even if the employees give their approval, union leadership would need to call a strike. Just authorizing a work stoppage can be a tactic that helps spur management to make bigger concessions at the bargaining table. Still, the action raises the threat that a walkout could disrupt operations at one of Disney’s busiest properties during the summer season.
“We respect and value our cast members and recognize the important role they play in creating happiness for our guests,” Disney said in a statement. “With the next meeting scheduled for July 22, we remain committed to continuing discussions and to reaching an agreement.”
In May, Disney Chief Financial Officer Hugh Johnston said growth in the company’s theme-parks division would slow after a 10% increase in revenue and 12% increase in profit in the second quarter. Johnston said the business should bounce back later in the year.
Disney park workers filed unfair labor practice charges against the company in May for unlawful discipline, intimidation and surveillance of 675 members for wearing union buttons at work, the unions said. The charges are being investigated by the National Labor Relations Board.
The unions involved are the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers Local 83, the Service Employees International Union-United Service Workers West, the Teamsters Local 495 and the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 324.
--With assistance from Josh Eidelson.
(Updates with Disney comment in fourth paragraph.)
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