Disney employees suffer setback in minimum wage fight

Employees of the Disneyland theme park in Anaheim suffered a setback in their battle for higher wages recently.

The employees were asking for higher wages under a local ordinance that applies to Anaheim.  The 2018 ordinance, called Measure L, called for businesses in the city limits to immediately pay $15 an hour to all workers and to increase the minimum wage gradually to $18 an hour by 2022.

Disneyland has maintained that they are not subject to this ordinance. Under the theme park’s arguments, Disneyland would only be subject to California’s state-wide phase-in of a $15 an hour minimum wage, which is currently in progress.

It appears that the trial court hearing this case agreed with Disneyland and dismissed the workers’ claim.

An attorney for the workers who were pursuing this class action wage and hour claim indicated that the workers were strongly considering an appeal and did not express surprise about having to do so.

Cities and counties often expand on the rights California workers have

This story illustrates that workers in San Diego and the surrounding communities should not overlook the additional rights they might have under local ordinances and ballot measures.

For example, San Diego’s wage ordinance currently is slightly broader than the state law. Specifically, every employer within the city, even smaller employers with fewer than 26 employees, are supposed to pay $14 an hour. On January 1, 2022, the minimum hourly wage increases to $15 for all employers.

Someone who works for a smaller business in San Diego should be concerned if they are being paid less than $14 an hour currently, or, starting at the new year, are not receiving $15 an hour.

All employees have the right to receive the minimum wages required under the law and may pursue compensation if they are not being paid accordingly.