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Disney unions from three continents will be in Hong Kong this week to help build a global trade union alliance in Disney and to boost the UNI campaign to organise workers at Hong Kong Disneyland.

UNI is backing the Disney cast members union - HKDLCMU - that already has several hundred members in Hong Kong and which has won worker backing for union access rights.

A recent union survey reveals more than 90% support for union access and communication rights with staff in Hong Kong.

“Access for the union is a key issue so that basic labour rights to join a union and to bargain collectively can be effective,” says UNI Deputy General Secretary Philip Bowyer. The survey also shows big differences between conditions for workers in Hong Kong - particularly hours of work, scheduling and work pressure – and for unionised colleagues with a collective agreement in Disney Florida. “There can be no excuse for big discrepancies in treatment between Disneyland workers in Hong Kong and their colleagues elsewhere,” says Philip Bowyer, who will meet Disney’s Human Resources Vice President in Hong Kong Christine Wong during the three-day UNI event.

UNI Disney leaflet in Cantonese

Late scheduling of working hours is a big issue at Hong Kong Disneyland - particularly among groups like food and beverage staff. Notice of shift changes can be less than 24 hours.

Overtime arrangements are also a big issue - in Hong Kong staff have to week 60 hours in a week before becoming entitled to overtime pay while colleagues in Florida qualify after 40 hours. There is no limit on the number of hours worked in a day at Hong Kong Disney and no daily overtime premium.

Elaine Hui

In Florida Disney workers get two consecutive days off a week while in Hong Kong those two days are likely to be separated. “Our survey concentrated on basic issues that affect the staff’s working life and their ability to create a fair work-life balance,” said Elaine Hui, who is Organising Secretary for the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions. “We want to work with the company to tackle the issues that cause staff problems - we all have a commitment to make Hong Kong Disneyland a successful and fair place to work.”

Cast workers union HKDLCMU has established some rights to represent individual members in grievance procedures and there is dialogue with Hong Kong Disney management. The Hong Kong government is the biggest shareholder in the Disney operation there that employs 5,000 workers. A UNI delegation will meet the Chief Labour Officer on 17 April to press for their assistance in ensuring labour rights.

Disneyland Hong Kong employs 5000 people

”We believe that the Hong Kong government has a responsibility to ensure that there is effective union organisation and collective bargaining in Hong Kong - including Disney,” said Elaine. “We will step up the pressure for access and we will build collaboration with overseas Disney workers.” The government is currently under pressure to increase its investment to help expand the attractions in Hong Kong Disneyland - important with the announcement last week of plans to build a new Disney operation in Shanghai.



US affiliates UFCW and IATSE will brief the union meeting on the situation in Disney in Florida and California while French affiliates CFDT and CGT will brief on Euro-Disney, Paris. UI Zensen is sharing information on Tokyo Disney Resort while HKDLCMU will brief on Hong Kong Disney - which was built close to Hong Kong’s new airport on Lantau island and aims to attract visitors from mainland China.

UNI MEI’s Jim Wilson and UNI Graphical’s Adriana Rosenzvaig will report on how unions in other multinational companies build union alliances, help grow new unions and campaign for global agreements that will ensure labour rights wherever a company operates around the world.

The UNI delegation will meet workers and visit the Hong Kong Disney complex. A meeting with HR Director Greg Morley is scheduled for 17 April and the three-day event will conclude with a meet-the-press session.

Global union the IUF will also be attending the Hong Kong event.

On parade

Disneyland Hong Kong