Disney character workers at the West Coast amusement parks have successfully gathered enough signatures to unionize. Over two-thirds of the eligible performers, including those who portray characters at meet-and-greets and parades, have signed union authorization cards and an election petition with the National Labor Relations Board. The next step for them would be to hold a vote on union representation, expected to take place in May or June.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the workers expressed their love for the work they do and their pride in being part of Disney's entertainment legacy. They believe that by improving their collective working conditions, they can enhance not only their own lives but also the quality of entertainment offered at Disneyland Resort.
Disneyland Workers Push for Unionization
A group of workers at Disneyland Resort, known as "Magic United," have been advocating for higher pay, a safe workplace, and transparency in scheduling and rehiring. They have requested The Walt Disney Company to recognize their union, but have not yet received a response.
Disney officials stated, "We support our cast members' right to a confidential vote that recognizes their individual choices."
While most of the 35,000 workers at Disneyland Resort are already unionized, parade and character workers have recently expressed their intentions to unionize to address safety concerns and scheduling issues.
If formed, the union would fall under the Actors' Equity Association, which currently represents theatrical performers at Disney parks in Florida. President of Equity, Kate Shindle, emphasized the importance of workers having a voice in their workplace and engaging in negotiations over wages, benefits, and working conditions.
Astronomers Discover New Exoplanet Orbiting a Distant Star
In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have found a new exoplanet orbiting a distant star in the Milky Way galaxy. The exoplanet, named Kepler-452b, is located approximately 1,400 light-years away from Earth and is considered to be a "super-Earth" due to its size and composition.
Kepler-452b is estimated to be about five times the mass of Earth and orbits its parent star in the habitable zone, where conditions may be favorable for the existence of liquid water. This makes it a prime candidate for further study to determine its potential to support life.
The discovery of Kepler-452b was made using data from NASA's Kepler Space Telescope, which has been instrumental in finding thousands of exoplanets since its launch in 2009. Astronomers are excited about the prospect of studying this new exoplanet in more detail to learn more about its atmosphere, composition, and potential habitability.
