Bargaining Caucus

Now that we are formally unionized with Actors’ Equity Association, we can begin preparations for bargaining our first union contract with Disneyland.

While every Cast Member will have input into what we put across the table in bargaining, the actual discussions with Disney will be conducted by an elected Bargaining Caucus made up of 23 people, with 23 alternates. Every member of our bargaining unit – that is, everyone who works in Characters and Parades – will have the opportunity to run for a spot in the caucus, and everyone in the unit will get to vote.

There will also be other ways to get involved in the negotiation like serving on the contract action team or even just submitting a survey and attending a town hall.

What’s the Make up of the Caucus?

The caucus will be made up of representatives from both departments, with every job represented. The 23 members of the bargaining team and the 23 alternates will take part in all internal discussions together, and all 46 of them will be able to vote on proposals. Only the 23 members of the bargaining team will meet Disney management at the table, with alternates taking the place of any members who aren’t present on any given day.

Seats will be allocated as follows:

Characters (15 team/15 alternates)

• Sculpted - 2/2
• GR Sculpted 1/1
• Host - 2/2
• Show Host - 1/1
• Look-Alike - 2/2
• DL Lead - 1/1
• DCA Lead - 1/1
• Scheduler - 1/1
• Trainer - 1/1
• At-large Dining (any role) - 1/1
• At-large Character Events (any role) - 1/1
• At-large (any role) - 1/1

Parades (8 team/8 alternates)

• Sculpted - 1/1
• Look-Alike - 1/1
• Dancer - 1/1
• Trainer - 1/1
• Lead - 1/1
• At-large DCA Parades (any DCA Parade experience, any role) - 1/1
• At-large Disneyland Parades (any DL Parade experience, any role) - 1/1
• At-large Fantasmic! (any role) - 1/1

Those who have “team” seats will go to the table and interact with Disney management. Alternates will be part of the caucus for all internal discussions and able to vote on proposals. If anyone in a team seat cannot attend a formal bargaining session, an alternate will be asked to join in their order.

While the seats are allocated based on job roles, once the caucus is formed, everyone who is a part of the caucus is encouraged to fully participate in all discussions related to their experiences, not just those directly related to the seat in which they’re serving.

Electing the Bargaining Caucus

Voting will take place between June 12 and June 17 via an online platform. Bargaining Caucus members will be seated in order from those with most votes to those with least. For example, if Parade Lead 1 received 200 votes and Parade Lead 2 received 100 votes, then Parade Lead 1 will be on the team, and Parade Lead 2 will be Alternate #1.

Every unit member will be able to vote for up to 23 people, regardless of role or department. The team will be seated starting with the candidate who received the highest total number of votes, who will be assigned to an open seat they are running for based on their stated preference. The process will continue until all eligible seats are filled.

Responsibilities of the Bargaining Caucus

Bargaining Caucus members (including alternates) should be prepared to commit five to eight hours a week from the time they are elected through the ratification of the contract, which we hope will happen in the fall but could take longer depending on how bargaining goes. We expect the Bargaining Caucus to begin meeting June 24, so we can get a survey about bargaining priorities out to the full unit in early July. Caucus members can expect to attend weekly meetings and put in additional work outside of meeting times (reviewing materials, speaking with fellow Cast Members, etc.).

Bargaining Caucus Team Members and Alternates will:

1. Review survey and focus group data to formulate bargaining priorities.
2. Plan negotiating strategy.
3. Take any applicable bargaining training.
4. Review and analyze proposals as put together by Equity staff based on the priorities identified by the caucus.
5. Review, amend, and approve a starting proposal package.
6. Review ongoing proposals both to and from Disney management.
7. Be public about their participation in the team to allow other Cast Members opportunities to speak to them. (This could include being listed on the website.)
8. Attend weekly meetings to prepare proposals and be willing to volunteer time during bargaining to serve on the team. Bargaining dates and times will be coordinated with Disney management, factoring in our own team’s availability as well.
9. Expect about five to eight hours of work a week – including meetings, bargaining, reading/writing proposals, speaking with unit members, etc.

Important Dates

• June 3 – Nomination form opens
• June 6 – Info Session via Zoom at 8:00 a.m.
• June 7 – Info Session via Zoom at 7:30 p.m.
• June 9 – Nomination period closes
• June 12 – Voting begins. Members of the bargaining unit will receive an email with a link to their electronic ballot and a packet of statements from the candidates.
• June 17 – Final day of voting. Ballots due at 2 p.m. PT.
• June 20 – Bargaining Caucus announced
• June 24 at 8 a.m. – First meeting of the Bargaining Caucus kicking off weekly caucuses
• Early July – Bargaining survey and focus groups/town halls begin
• Late July – Report out to Magic United members about survey and focus group findings
• Late August – Proposal document complete and report out to Magic United members about bargaining priorities
• Aiming for Early September – Meet Disney at the bargaining table