Thousands of Disneyland workers vote to authorize a strike

Four unions representing more than 14,000 workers at Disney's theme parks and resort properties in Southern California announced late Friday that members have voted to authorize a strike, citing alleged unfair labor practices during contract negotiations.

The thousands of workers at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, the Downtown Disney retail district and Disney-owned hotels authorized a walkout, the unions announced.

If a strike does occur, it would be the first at Disneyland in 40 years.

The unions said there was "a 99% membership vote in favor of authorizing their Disney Workers Rising bargaining committee to call for an unfair labor practice strike." That does not mean there is a strike immediately, but that one is authorized.

"Instead of working with us toward a fair contract, Disney has engaged in multiple instances of conduct we allege are unfair labor practices, including unlawful discipline and intimidation and surveillance of union members exercising their right to wear union buttons at work," the Disney Workers Rising Bargaining Committee said in a statement ahead of the vote.

"We know these actions are only an attempt to stop us from exercising our rights and saddle us with a contract that perpetuates the status quo at Disney," the bargaining committee added.

The union buttons in question depict a Mickey Mouse-style white glove raised in a fist.

The Walt Disney Company did not immediately respond to a request for comment early Saturday.

The employees at the center of the labor fight include custodians, ride operators, candymakers and merchandise clerks at the popular theme park and resort complex, a pillar of the tourism economy in Southern California.

The workers — known in company parlance as "cast members" —