By Dawn Chmielewski
ANAHEIM, California (Reuters) - Unions representing 14,000 Disneyland employees said on Wednesday they had reached a tentative labor agreement with Walt Disney, averting a work stoppage at the theme park.
The new, three-year agreement, which includes wage increases and other benefits for park employees who are referred to as "cast members," was signed by an alliance of unions representing custodians, ride operators, merchandise clerks and other workers at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California.
"Cast members have fought hard for the past four months and this tentative agreement would not have been possible without the strength we all showed throughout this process and the unwavering support from guests and community members," the unions said in a statement.
Disney confirmed the tentative deal in a statement to Reuters: "We care deeply about the wellbeing of our cast members .. and are pleased to have reached a tentative agreement with the Master Services council that addresses what matters most to our cast."