Disneyland Ditches Paid Parental Leave for Costumed Character Employees

Disneyland's contract proposal for its costumed character employees has left them disappointed. The union, Actors' Equity Association, is negotiating a new contract with Disney that includes higher wages and better benefits, but the current proposal does not include paid parental leave, a benefit they previously enjoyed.

The 1,700 workers in the Magic United unit have been bargaining for over two years, since October 2024. They are responsible for supporting parades, shows, and character operations at Disneyland. The start rate for parade and pageant helpers is $26 an hour, while the start rate for stage scheduling assistants is $28.25 an hour.

The union says that Disney's current proposal eliminates a paid holiday, reduces how much Disney matches employee contributions to their 401(k) plans, and does not include paid parental leave. However, Disneyland Resort spokeswoman Jessica Jakary said that proposals may change and that the bargaining unit is new, establishing initial employment terms and conditions for the first time.

Union leaders reject this framing, saying that Disney is trying to strip away benefits that make the Disneyland experience what it is. They point out that other unionized workers at Disney properties receive paid parental leave, such as those in Florida's Walt Disney World Resort under the Teamsters and Disneyland assistant stage managers organized under IATSE Local 504 in California.