Disney’s Remote Workers To Join Union For Higher Wages

The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney, is in the limelight after workers accused the company of paying less salaries to animators. 

Ten Disney animation workers, who work remotely across six U.S. states, are seeking to unionize to demand higher wages. 

The Animation Guild – a professional guild and union of animation artists, writers and technicians – said on Tuesday that ten Walt Disney’s (DIS.N) animation workers filed with the National Labor Relations Board, an independent agency of the federal government of the United States, seeking representation by the Animation Guild and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).

Disney’s remote workers demanding higher pay

Animation Guild organizer Ben Speight said, “Artists and writers who do the same work for the same studios should have the same rights and standards on the job, regardless of where they live.”

Disney’s remote workers are demanding higher pay for their work. They have been receiving lower pay and limited benefits. 

The Walt Disney Company, an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate, did not extend union contracts to remote animation workers hired outside of LA County.

After COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, the company, which is headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios complex in Burbank, California, told remote animation workers that their working arrangements would fall outside contractual boundaries, jeopardizing workers’ union status.

The workers had been working with lower pay and limited benefits. Now, the workers demanded a fair and inclusive framework for workers of a remote working environment.

Meanwhile, Bob Iger, the Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company, has said that Disney is ready to start building. 

The company underwent a transformation under Bob Iger, who restructured the company and streamlined operations to make the business cost effective. He acknowledged Disney’s recent box office struggles and pledged to make the business profitable.