What both parties can and should do next

Disney and its theme park employees have already achieved the first, best step. They’ve kicked the can down the road for a time. Sure, this strategy generally sounds passive, but it’s not in this instance. The two parties understand that these negotiations become acrimonious when they’re argued through the media. Both sides tend to lose in such scenarios, too.

In the most recent standoff, Disney’s brand lost some of its luster as details leaked about the quality of life of some Disneyland workers. They were decidedly not happy working at the Happiest Place on Earth. Some of their complaints led to a groundswell of support for new city council representatives. That election cost the corporation the tax incentives needed for the Downtown Disney projects.

For cast members, their lack of leverage was readily apparent. They couldn’t even force arbitration for the $1,000 bonuses owed to many employees. Whether you like it or not, corporations hold the power in modern America. Since the demand is so high for employment at Disney theme parks, current workers are replaceable, even those who are terrific at their jobs. Their recent salary increases notwithstanding, cast members can only push back a certain amount before they lose leverage.

Since both groups have so much to lose, what they should do is readily apparent. Disney should become proactive in offering fair, not CHEAP, salaries to their workers. What they should take from the hostile negotiations of 2017-2018 is that their brand is more important than saving a few million. The amount of annual income under discussion is trivial to the bottom line of a company that had $59.43 billion in revenue in fiscal 2018. They have to be more protective of the brand and employ more common sense.

For cast members, the two-pronged attack that they used to get raises is the blueprint for future negotiations. They should leverage voting power to pressure Disney whenever possible. The change in the composition of Anaheim’s city council is at least somewhat responsible corporation’s willingness to offer a better deal to its employees.

At Walt Disney World, the battle is tougher since Disney has its own government, but they’re still bound by state and federal laws. A less corporate-friendly leadership group would benefit workers. For a more tangible impact, cast members should continue to press their bosses on the subject of living wages. The public relations stories, while horrible to read, left an indelible impression about the company’s lackluster treatment of its employees.

In a perfect world, both parties would realize that a positive working environment is best for everyone. Disney and its cast members would hammer out a long-term agreement akin to the one in place at Disneyland. These guaranteed salary escalators give workers confidence that they have a future in the theme park industry. And we’re all better when the parks are staffed with highly skilled and experienced professionals.

Cast members are wonderful people, and Disney is the best. I think I speak for all of us when I say that I hate when mom and dad fight. Let’s avoid this sort of labor unrest for a decade or two. Okay, Disney?