http://www.ocregister.com/articles/leaders-union-traffic-2124611-workers-contractDisney union activists to block traffic in Anaheim today
Hotel workers protesting Disney's proposed healthcare changes say they'll block Harbor Boulevard.
By ADAM TOWNSEND
The Orange County Register
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ANAHEIM
The union representing workers at three Disneyland hotels is staging a protest to block traffic on Harbor Boulevard, near the Paradise Pier Hotel, at 5:30 p.m.
Leaders say their intention is to get arrested by police. Police say they are preparing to handle the demonstration with traffic and patrol officers.
Unite Here 681 has been in contract talks with Disneyland management since spring. The approximately 3,000 workers have been working without a contract since January. Union leaders have stopped short of threatening a strike vote.
Ada Briceño, the Unite Here 681 president, said Disney's proposals would bring in new workers at a lower wage and make them pay $100 to $250 per month for health care.
"On the healthcare front, they don't want to pay,'' she said. "Now there is no cost to the employee for health care. We have a very good plan, but that's all we have. The rest of our contract is very low-paying jobs."
Union officials say no Disneyland workers plan to help block traffic, but there will be a few dozen "community leaders, students and worker leaders" as well as the union president and officers from the Walt Disney World theme park in Florida, Briceño said.
Disneyland representatives say management is frustrated that union leaders have insisted on negotiating their contract in the press. Disney spokeswoman Lisa Haines said none of the proposals under discussion are final, and that the next negotiating session is scheduled for Aug. 22.
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