Hundreds of employees at Disney’s theme parks and resorts in Southern California introduced late Friday evening that they’ve approved a strike, citing alleged unfair labor practices throughout current contract negotiations.

4 unions representing greater than 14,000 employees at Disneyland, Disney California Journey, Downtown Disney and Disney-owned resorts introduced the walkout, saying its members overwhelmingly voted in favor after lots of of alleged labor violations by Disney “interfered with the unions getting the truthful contract forged members deserve.” They mentioned of the members who participated within the vote, 99% voted in favor of authorizing the strike; nevertheless, an actual quantity was not launched.

“As we speak’s overwhelming unfair labor observe strike authorization vote sends a transparent message to the corporate: we’re stronger collectively and won’t be divided by scare ways,” the Disney Employees Rising Bargaining Committee mentioned in a press release on Friday, including: “We make the theme parks’ income and the magic you discover throughout the resort. However as a substitute of rewarding our laborious work and dedication, Disney is intimidating, surveilling, and unlawfully disciplining members, harming our negotiations and our potential to get the contract we deserve.”

The authorization doesn’t imply a strike will occur instantly and each side may attain a deal. If a strike does occur, it could be the primary at Disneyland in 40 years.

“We’re fed up with being pushed round by Disney and are able to struggle again towards its unfair labor practices,” David Hernandez, who’s a member of the bargaining committee and monorail operator, mentioned in a press release.

The unions mentioned they’ve been negotiating a brand new contract with Disney since April 24. Almost two months later, on June 10, Disney employees introduced that that they had filed unfair labor observe expenses towards the corporate. The fees, regarding greater than 675 employees, at the moment are being investigated by the Nationwide Labor Relations Board.

Forward of the vote, lots of of Disneyland workers protested exterior the world-famous theme park on July 17, calling for higher wages and denouncing anti-union practices.

A Disneyland consultant informed CBS Information in a press release that the strike authorization isn’t uncommon as a part of a negotiation course of and that the corporate seems to be ahead to persevering with discussions in upcoming conferences on Monday and Tuesday.

“We drastically recognize the necessary roles our forged members play in creating memorable experiences for our visitors, and we stay dedicated to reaching an settlement that focuses on what issues most to them whereas positioning Disneyland Resort for development and job creation,” the consultant mentioned, including that the parks proceed to welcome visitors.

The 4 unions that characterize the employees are the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Employees and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Native 83; the Service Workers Worldwide Union-United Service Employees West (SEIU-USWW); the Teamsters Native 495; and the United Meals and Industrial Employees (UFCW) Native 324.

They mentioned they’re searching for truthful wages, a good attendance coverage, seniority will increase and secure parks for forged members. The unions cited financial hardship for his or her members, together with meals and housing insecurity.

“As a substitute of rewarding our laborious work and dedication, Disney is intimidating, surveilling, and unlawfully disciplining members, harming our negotiations and our potential to get the contract we deserve,” the bargaining committee mentioned.

The contract for forged members at Disneyland expired on June 16 whereas the contract for Disney California Journey and Downtown Disney employees expires on September 30.

The bargaining committee mentioned it’s dedicated to negotiations on Monday and Tuesday, however mentioned the strike authorization permits it to name a strike at any time.