Cast Members Clash With Disney Security as Protests Get Violent

Inflation has affected everyone, but Disney Cast Members have decided to do something about it. Cast Members have closed down parades and disrupted operations as they have protested for higher wages to combat inflation. But now, the protests have gotten violent as Cast Members got into a physical altercation with Disney security forces.

L’ambiance devient un peu merdique quand la sécu repousse violemment les #CastMembers qui voulaient manifester aux #WaltDisneyStudios 😕

Des gens assez intelligents ont fini par dire "laissez-les passer", parce que ça devenait difficile de tenir debout 🙏🏼 #dlp #DisneylandParis pic.twitter.com/2BBSGeZNwZ

— Gina Linetti 💉💉💉 (@Timekeeper) June 3, 2023

Cast Members at Disneyland Paris have been on strike since early May. They have been protesting outside of the entrance to Disneyland Paris, and when a parade was canceled, they became the parade. According to Forbes, the striking workers are seeking a weekly pay raise of $215 U.S., improvements to the length of service bonus, and increased pay for working on Sundays.

However, this isn’t as cut and dry as an evil corporation withholding money from its employees. Disneyland Paris is a partnership between the Walt Disney Company and the local government. As a result, Cast Members at Disneyland Paris make significantly more money than their counterparts at Walt Disney World in Florida.

Related: Disney Issues First Response to Striking Cast Members

Since 2020, Disneyland Paris Cast Members have seen their salaries increase by 12.8 percent to $52,825 U.S. Over the past decade; their wages have increased by 28.4 percent, including a 5.5 percent raise at the start of this year. Unlike their U.S. counterparts, Disneyland Paris workers are on permanent contracts that allow them significantly more benefits than Cast Members at Disney World and Disneyland. Cast Members in the United States are not allowed to strike, it is written into their contract with the Walt Disney Company.

This relationship has been beneficial for the Disney Company as well. Earlier this year, Disney announced that Disneyland Paris had $51 million in profit on $2.6 billion in revenues. It was the first time Disneyland Paris had made a profit in over a decade. Disneyland Paris’ revenue represents 78.8 percent of Disney’s international business.

Disneyland Paris Cast Members and Unions have decided to go on a new strike starting Tuesday June 6, renewed on a daily basis, letting Disneyland Paris know the ball is in their court.
Expect entertainment cancellations, demonstrations and disruptions to general operations. pic.twitter.com/gpzTIEfflc

— DLP Report (@DLPReport) June 3, 2023

Cast Members and the union representing them have announced a new round of protests, set to begin on June 6 and continue daily. During demonstrations this weekend, some Cast Members got into a physical altercation with security personnel brought in by Disney.

Guests who visit the Disney Park in France have been allowed to adjust their plans for free because of the protest. However, there is no telling how long this strike at the Disneyland Resort will last.

We will continue to update this story at Disney Fanatic.