Dissatisfaction is brewing at the amusement park with the slogan "the world's happiest place". Employees at Disneyland in California have voted to go on strike, according to the amusement park's trade unions.
A coalition of trade unions that together organize around 14,000 employees has been negotiating with Disneyland about wage increases and improved working conditions since April. However, the negotiations have stalled and the conflict has escalated since some employees claimed that Disney is engaging in anti-union activities.
The unions claim that over 500 employees have been warned and threatened with penalties for wearing a union pin in the shape of a clenched fist with Mickey Mouse's hand.
Several employees testify that they have to live in their cars because their wages are not enough to pay the high rents in and around Anaheim, California, where Disneyland is located.
99 percent of union members voted to approve a strike. This makes it possible for the union leadership to decide when and if a strike should begin, as well as how long it would last.
Disney has stated that it wants to continue the planned negotiations on Monday and Tuesday. A strike would be historic – employees at Disneyland have not gone on strike since 1984.
