Strike, a new attraction at Disneyland Paris

There will be no big parade. And the walk is announced at the Pavillon des Princesses. This Saturday, June 3, almost a thousand demonstrators stormed the Sleeping Beauty castle, the emblem of Disneyland Paris. Their slogans are breaking “The Magic of Disney” : “I’m tired of being broke like Donald Duck”, “Despite the big ears, Mickey won’t listen to us”.

Three days later, on June 6, some workers at Europe’s leading tourist destination again voted to strike and march. THE “The land of dreams that come true” Social anger prevailed. Samir Chagrune is happy: “We have never been able to mobilize the small hands of the park to such a large extent. They came out of the shadows. » The 30-year-old Avenger’s bag on his back reflects the good humor necessary for his job visitor flow, which consists in managing the flow of visitors.

Union flags fly in the crowd, but a banner at the head of the march proclaims: “Anti-inflation Movement” (May). Samir Chagrune is one of the representatives of this independent collective, which implements a social movement. Norman worked at McDonald’s before accepting an application at Mickey’s Kingdom six years ago. A childhood dream as well as a career plan. A. describes in unison with many employees “passionate work”. “When I have Winnie the Pooh as a colleague, when Eeyore pats me on the shoulder during cigarette breaks, when I make sick children smile again, I tell myself that I am doing one of the best jobs in the world.” »

Disgusting

But, behind the smile and the uniforms of the heroes, he was bored cast members – the name Disney calls its employees – has been brewing for years. After two strikes with little media coverage so as not to tarnish Little Paradise’s image, workers decided to demonstrate their discomfort by marching on Main Street attractions on May 30. Heartbreaking for many who swear “Respect the Park” and its visitors. Answers (125 euro bonus, part 13^e monthly pay, incentive to monetize their time savings account) from management who did not want to answer our questions is considered insufficient. “There was no other way to listen” Samir Chagrune claims.

The list of frustrations stretches like a line in front of Big Thunder Mountain, the park’s most popular attraction: wages hovering around minimum wage as the cost of living explodes; chronic understaffing that forces rank-and-file employees to manage an army of temporary workers; Flexible schedules that harm health and affect social life. “Before Covid, small gestures paid for little: small bonuses, lunches, free trips, Samir Chagrune recalls. They disappeared and never came back. » The employees say that they do not allow the working conditions to deteriorate “The Disney Philosophy” : Safety, Courtesy, Display, Efficiency, Engagement.