Disneyland Minimum Wage Raises To $15 An Hour

ANAHEIM, CA - Employees of the Disneyland Resort will earn $15 minimum rates, one of the highest minimum wages in the country. This uptick in pay rates will be three years before California’s scheduled increase starting in January, the Resort announced on Sunday. Delivering on the largest wage increases for cast members in its history, the Disneyland Resort also is paying increased minimum rates to thousands of hourly non-union cast members.

Sunday night, an additional 2,700 Disneyland Resort hotel cast members from Unite Here! Local 11 ratified a five-year term with a minimum wage increase of 40 percent over the next two years of the agreement, with the $15 minimum wage taking effect January 2019. Housekeepers move to $15.80 immediately.

Separately, the resort is undertaking two other major initiatives that will provide cast members with comprehensive, affordable healthcare options as well as free education programs.

Starting next month, Disneyland Resort will roll out employee healthcare coverage that offers affordable options for many cast members, their families and eligible dependents. One plan could have an employee contribution for as little as $6 per week for single participants.

In August, the Company introduced Disney Aspire, an extensive education investment program which is providing cast members the resources to learn, grow and achieve within or outside of the company. The program, with an initial investment of $150 million, pays 100 percent of tuition up front, allowing hourly Disneyland Resort cast members to pursue a bevy of educational pursuits, from vocational or language studies to bachelor and master’s degree programs. Announced at the beginning of this year by The Walt Disney Company CEO Robert Iger, interest in Disney Aspire has exceeded company expectations.

“The strides we have made to implement $15 an hour minimum wages will have an immediate and lasting impact on the quality of life of our cast members and their families,” said Josh D’Amaro, president of the Disneyland Resort. “Additionally, we are very proud to offer our cast peace of mind through affordable healthcare options and free educational opportunities with our groundbreaking new program called Disney Aspire.”

Over the last decade, Disneyland Resort employment numbers have increased by 50 percent, adding 10,000 new jobs, for a total of 30,000 cast members, as it continues to be largest employer in Orange County. With the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in 2019, and other expansion projects, thousands of additional roles will be added. In addition to operations jobs, Disney’s significant investment in Anaheim has created nearly 2,000 construction jobs since 2016.

Disneyland Resort’s investment in its cast and its business continues to drive significant growth and generate substantial economic impact. Over the last decade, resort employment numbers have increased by 50 percent, adding 10,000 more cast members for a total of 30,000 cast members, making Disneyland Resort the largest employer in Orange County. These investments have also created nearly 2,000 construction jobs since 2016. Additionally, the resort’s focus on training and career development opportunities has seen 89 percent of entry-level parks leadership roles filled by hourly cast members over the last five years.

Since 1955, Disneyland has been a positive force in Orange County, and this new contract with Unite Here! Local 11 reinforces the resort’s commitment to being a leading employer and economic engine in Anaheim and the greater Orange County community.

Learn more about the Disneyland Resort employment experience and what makes being a Disney cast member so special.

Photo, courtesy Ashley Ludwig, Patch Staff