Disney Vacation Club Sales Reps Move to Unionize in Anaheim
For the first time in the nearly 35-year history of the Disney Vacation Club (DVC), sales representatives in Anaheim are moving towards unionization.
With the Villas at the Disneyland Hotel now open for business and coming off the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, dozens of Aneheim-based Disney sales reps have filed with the National Labor Relations Board to hold an election.
If the vote passes, the reps will join Unite Here Local 11, a union that already counts thousands of Disney Cast Members among its ranks.
Sales Reps Say Things Have Changed Since the Pandemic
Sales reps, who also sell timeshares in Florida and Hawaii, are hoping that joining the union will allow them to push for better pay and commission rates.
“We are responsible for directly generating revenue for the Disney Vacation Club,” said Jason Polito, a sales rep. “We’re the ones that are able to actually sell the product and we have to have a license to do that. It’s a unique role within Disney.”
According to Polito, after the pandemic, things in the industry began to change. While sales reps were brought back to work, sales assistants were not. That gave Polito and his colleagues even more tasks.
“We also saw substantial changes in our commission structures after the pandemic,” Polito added. “The old structure allowed for a lot more consistency.”
The Move Towards Unionization
The move towards unionization started with sales reps commiserating and venting their frustrations to each other.
“We started talking with each other about how we could make a difference at work, and then our leadership team started acting strange,” said Rana Salama, a sales rep, in a Unite Here Local 11 press release. “They pulled some of us into meetings and finally fired three people who were involved in the organizing efforts — including two of our best sellers and one person who had almost 13 years of experience.”
Leading up to the latest filing, the Disney Vacation Club in Anaheim has faced a series of unfair labor practice charges against it.
These allegations range from retaliatory firings due to legally protected union activities, surveillance, and threats. The unfair labor practice cases remain open.
“We support our cast members’ right to a confidential vote that recognizes their individual choices,” said Jessica Good, a Disney spokesperson.
The Endgame
Despite the Disney Vacation Club thriving, Politio and his fellow sales reps feel that their value has been diminished.
“My hope is that we have enough support to be able to join the union,” Polito said. “With that, we will be able to craft an employment contract that would address all of these issues, ranging from pay to business operations, as well as job security.”
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