“Hey kids! Want to go to Disneyland?”
“YES!”
“Let’s go!”
Fast forward to arriving at Disneyland. This is what you see when you step out of the car:
Cinderella, Snow White, and Tinkerbell being handcuffed, frisked, and loaded into police vans at the culmination of a labor protest that brought a touch of reality to the Happiest Place on Earth.
The arrest of the 32 protesters, many of whom wore costumes representing famous Disney characters, came at the end of an hour-long march to Disneyland’s gates from one of three Disney-owned hotels at the center of a labor dispute.
Those who were arrested sat in a circle on a busy intersection outside the park holding hands until they were placed in plastic handcuffs and led to two police vans while hundreds of hotel workers cheered and chanted.
The dispute involves about 2,300 maids, bell hops, cooks, and dishwashers at three Disney-owned hotels: the Paradise Pier, the Grand Californian and the Disneyland Hotel.
The workers’ contract expired in February and their union says Disney’s latest proposal makes health care unaffordable for hundreds of employees and creates an unfair two-tier wage system. The union also says Disney wants to create a new category of part-time employees who would receive greatly reduced benefits.
Disney spokeswoman Lisa Haines said Disney and the union are in negotiations and nothing has been finalized. She said workers have protested 14 times but sat down to negotiate only 11 times in the past six months.
“Clearly we’re disappointed that Unite Here Local 681 has spent more time protesting,” she said. “Publicity stunts are not productive and are extremely disruptive to the resort district.”
Before the arrests, the picketers marched and chanted outside Paradise Pier, holding signs that read, “Disney is unfaithful,” and “Mickey, shame on you.” They were joined by community activists and religious leaders from local churches.
What do you think? Should they have protested? Or, should they have been at the negotiation table?
Alabama isn’t a huge union state, so my experience with unions is very limited. So, I’d love to hear your comments, from your knowledge of unions and whether or not this was the proper thing to do.
Also, how would you explain seeing Cinderella being handcuffed and hauled off to jail?
I guess the clock struck midnight!
ReplyDeleteWhat I don't understand is the statement: "they were joined by community activists and religious leaders from local churches." The activists I can understand...that's why they are called activists. But what were religious leaders doing there protesting wages? Maybe I am naive but aren't we commissioned to do something a whole lot more important than protesting wages?
ReplyDeleteI found that statement a little odd as well and almost didn't include it in the story. But, the story is what it is. I'm all for social ministry. However, not sure protesting against wages would be at the highest part of my priority.
ReplyDeleteThen again, if I were the pastor of a church with members making only minimum wage, with little to no benefits, having to work two or three jobs to survive, I'd probably feel different.
I see your point. Reckon I never thought of it that way before.
ReplyDelete