In this episode, I have the great pleasure of talking with Glynndana Shevlin, a Disney Resort worker and member of UNITE HERE Local 11. We talk about her life, her time working at Disney, and the struggles she and her co-workers face to make ends meet. Disney workers' wages, like the wages of workers around the country, have stagnated as inflation and the cost of living have exploded. While the Walt Disney Company continues to record yearly profits in the billions, the workers who "make the magic" for visitors from all over the world are struggling with homelessness, food insecurity, medical bills, etc. I talk to Glynndana about this and about the ballot initiative in Orange County to raise worker wages. Glynndana is an incredibly lovely person and I was really moved hearing her love for what she does as well as her commitment to ensuring that she and her fellow workers are treated fairly and get the dignity and respect they give to others on a daily basis.
Additional links/info below...
- Local 11's website
- Union-coalition survey of Disney Resort workers
- Daniel Miller, LA Times, "Is Disney Paying It's Share in Anaheim?"
- Michelle Chen, The Nation, "Are Disney Workers Having a Hard Time Making Ends Meet?"
- Thy Vo, Voice of OC, "Anaheim $18 Minimum Wage Initiative Advances to November Ballot"
Featured Music (all songs sourced from the Free Music Archive)
- Lobo Loco, "Malte Junior - Hall" - Pat Broderick, "Bluebird" - Lobo Loco, "Good Thoughts" - Brock Tyler, "Meeting You There"