Disneyland workers, including Cynthia Carranza, who has lived in her car with her dogs due to low pay, are speaking out about their struggles.
Despite earning $20.65 an hour, Ms. Carranza says she couldn’t afford rent in Southern California, where apartments cost over $2,000 a month.
She shared her hardships, like sneaking into Disneyland’s costume department for showers. Now living with her boyfriend in a small apartment, she still finds it hard to make ends meet.
The situation highlights the financial difficulties faced by many Disneyland employees. Around 10,000 workers are threatening to strike over wages and alleged anti-union practices.
A survey found that one in ten Disneyland workers have faced homelessness, and 73% struggle to cover basic expenses each month.
Workers protested outside the park with signs saying, “Mickey would want fair pay.” They voted to authorize a strike, which gives them leverage in upcoming contract negotiations. The last Disneyland strike was in 1984 and lasted 22 days.
The issue has brought attention to the wage gap between workers and Disney’s executives. Disney CEO Bob Iger earned $31.6 million in 2023, which many workers find shocking compared to their own low wages.
For many workers, Disney jobs were once seen as a dream, but now they struggle with low pay and lack of flexibility.
Workers like Cecilia Quail and Colleen Palmer have faced issues with management over union-related matters. The workers, who help create the magic at Disneyland, feel that their contributions are not reflected in their pay.
As reported by the BBC, these workers are calling for better wages and recognition for their hard work.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cv2gpx7pnwdo