Lego Store Workers at Downtown Disney Seek to Form a Union
About two dozen union organizers and Lego Store employees gathered Monday morning at the flagship location in Anaheim to present management with a union petition, marking the first time retail Lego Store workers in the United States have tried to form a union.
The move comes after a lengthy court battle over the Anaheim Resort district minimum wage law, which covers not only theme park workers but also Downtown Disney retailers, including the Lego Store. According to Hunter Gulino, a brick specialist for the last three years, “We love the Lego Group’s mission statement that ‘only the best is good enough.’ We want to build the best workplace possible here at Downtown Disney. There are issues we believe a union will help us resolve.”
Union Campaign and Workplace Issues
The union campaign began in March when Gulino contacted organizers with United Food and Commercial Workers Local 324, which represents Disney theme park retail workers. An Anaheim Resort district minimum wage law also served as a catalyst. The measure led to a $233-million settlement in a class-action case, with the Walt Disney Co. agreeing to comply with the law and issue back pay to affected employees.
However, brick specialists claimed that management cut employee hours in the aftermath, with Gulino stating, “I was at the store a whole lot more before Measure L.” Melissa Gonzalez, a four-year brick specialist, added, “A lot of us have complaints about our scheduling. After raises and back pay, they seemingly cut our hours down so they would not have to pay out so much for their employees.” Other workplace issues, such as a properly functioning air conditioning system, also frame the union fight ahead.
Unionization Efforts and Precedents
According to the UFCW, about 80% of Disneyland Resort workers are unionized, including a pocket of Downtown Disney retailers. The union already represents World of Disney store employees just outside of Disneyland’s gates. More recently, Workers United Local 50 helped Starbucks baristas in Downtown Disney organize a union. The Lego Store employs more than 60 nonmanagerial brick specialists who would be union-eligible.
With the petition served, Lego can respond by voluntarily recognizing the union. If the company declines, employees can have the National Labor Relations Board schedule an election on the question of unionizing with UFCW. For Gulino, working at the Downtown Disney Lego Store helps create “magical moments,” and with a union, he wants to have a voice in his workplace. Gonzalez agrees, stating, “I want to be a part of setting a precedent for my workplace and for any other future Lego employees who may be interested in joining a union.”
Conclusion and Next Steps
The Lego Store workers’ union campaign marks an important step in their efforts to address workplace issues and improve working conditions. As the situation unfolds, it will be crucial to monitor the responses from Lego management and the National Labor Relations Board. For more information on this developing story, visit Here
Image Source: www.latimes.com
