Thousands of workers at Disney’s theme park and resort properties in California have voted to authorise a potential strike, as contract negotiations drag on.
The strike authorisation was approved by an overwhelming margin, nearly 99 per cent of the members who cast votes according to a union statement.
The election was held by a coalition of four unions, which represents 14,000 Disney ride operators, store clerks, custodians, sweet makers, ticket takers, parking attendants and other employees.
![Pixar Pier attractions operators Ruth Lopez, right, and Vinny Ramano, join other Disney union members as they pass out buttons and ask visitors to sign a petition](https://img.resized.co/breaking-news/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL2NvbnRlbnQuYXNzZXRzLnByZXNzYXNzb2NpYXRpb24uaW9cXFwvQVBcXFwvMjAyNFxcXC8wN1xcXC8wMVxcXC81ZjNiNDcwZmQ4NzM0N2I1YWE2NzRmMDc1MmJlMWUwNC5qcGc_dz02NDBcIixcIndpZHRoXCI6XCI2NDBcIixcImhlaWdodFwiOlwiNDM5XCIsXCJkZWZhdWx0XCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL3d3dy5icmVha2luZ25ld3MuaWVcXFwvaW1hZ2VzXFxcL25vLWltYWdlLnBuZ1wiLFwib3B0aW9uc1wiOntcIm91dHB1dFwiOlwid2VicFwifX0iLCJoYXNoIjoiNTQ5M2M2ZDdmODY4ZWViYjFhZGE4ODA2OGFkMGJlNzRkNTk5YTRjOCJ9/disneyland-workers-authorise-potential-strike-ahead-of-continued-contract-talks.jpg?w=640)
Union leaders will now have the option to call a strike in the event that they are unable to negotiate a new contract deal with Disney.
Leaders from both sides will return to the bargaining table on Monday.
Union members have been in talks with Disney over wage increases, safety measures, attendance policies and other benefits since April.