by As thousands of Disneyland employees continue to negotiate with Disneyland over several issues, including a pay raise in preparation for a possible strike, one veteran employee explained Monday why she and her colleagues are preparing to walk off the job.
Coleen Palmer, who has worked in the theme park’s gift shops for 37 years, said that while she loves her job, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for her to afford certain things on her salary, including the merchandise she sells.
“I love interacting with kids. I see what it does to them. It makes me happy, too,” Palmer said. “I always want to know that I don’t have to worry about what I have to give up this month to pay my rent.”
Even after working for the company for nearly four decades, Palmer said she made about $23 an hour, just above the highest starting wage of less than $20 an hour.
This disparity is at the heart of the unions’ demands, which include higher wages, seniority increases and more sick leave.
“We really want to get a deal done with the company this week, but if they’re not willing to come to the table, we’re going to have to do what we have to do,” said Jenna Thompson of UFCW 324, one of the unions involved in the negotiations.
If this strike takes place, it would be the largest strike at Disneyland since the 1980s.
Many visitors, like Sehyaabeah Mayu of Fresno, said they supported the workers’ cause.
“I really think they’re doing everything they can to be welcoming because it’s the happiest place on Earth,” Mayu said. “I think they should be rewarded.”
Disneyland Resort said in a statement that it values its workers and is “committed to reaching an agreement that focuses on what matters most to them while positioning Disneyland Resort for growth and job creation.”
As negotiations continue, workers like Palmer hope their crucial role in creating the Disney magic will be recognized.
“We have to make the company recognize that we are the ones who make it what it is. We are the ones who bring in the money,” Palmer said. “Without us, customers around the world [will not be] “to live the experience that they live.”
