Disneyland has agreed to raise the minimum wage for employees at its California theme park to $15 an hour.
A lengthy labor battle over pay at Disney’s Anaheim resort is ended with the agreement. Unions representing nearly 10,000 Disneyland workers accepted Disney’s three-year contract to raise starting hourly wages to $15 an hour beginning next year.
Disneyland Resort announced the 40 percent increase last Thursday and says it will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2019. As part of a deal with labor unions, the resort says it will immediately increase the current minimum of $11 an hour to $13.25. It’ll be at $15.45 in 2020.
The deal affects more than 9,700 employees, including those working in attractions, store operations and costuming, among others. Disney said an employee making $11 today would earn an additional $8,000 a year.
Disneyland President Josh D’Amaro says in a statement that the resort is paying workers $15 an hour three years ahead of a new California law requiring workers be paid that amount. He says that shows the resort’s “commitment and care” for its employees.