Many at Disneyland to Lose Their Day Jobs

ANAHEIM — Hundreds of tradespeople at Disneyland are being required to switch from day or evening shifts to graveyard duty under a new policy at the theme park.

Disneyland employs more than 700 painters, electricians, machinists, plumbers, carpenters and other tradespeople, according to union estimates. They are behind-the-scenes workers responsible for repairing and maintaining the park’s facilities and attractions--everything from the “Pirates of the Caribbean” to the restrooms.

Currently the workers are spread among three shifts, with the biggest share working the second shift, from about 3 or 4 p.m. until about midnight. But they were told by management last week that their schedules are being reorganized, with 80% of them to be assigned to the third shift. They will work four days a week, from about midnight until 10 a.m., while the park is closed to visitors. The rest will be divided between the two earlier shifts.

Disneyland spokesman Tom Brocato said the change is part of an overall redesign of the facilities, engineering and construction services divisions under T. Irby, who joined Disneyland as a vice president in January.

The scheduling change is being made to “enhance the guest experience” by reducing the disruption to park facilities during operating hours, Brocato said. “It’s less down time for our attractions.”

Although there will be fewer workers on duty when the park is open, Brocato said, that won’t compromise the crews’ ability to respond if a ride malfunctions. He said that operations might actually be enhanced because the third shift will focus on maintenance and restoration work to help keep the park running smoothly.

For customers, he said, the major difference will be that “you won’t see painting taking place when the park is open.”

But Mike Potts, chairman of the Disneyland Crafts Maintenance Council and a spokesman for the 12 unions representing Disneyland tradespeople, said the move is not family-friendly: “I think it’s extraordinarily unfair to a lot of hard-working people and their families.”

Although Disney “may well have the right to do what they’re doing,” Potts said he would carefully examine the way the new policy is implemented for possible contract violations.

A major issue, he said, will be whether the people assigned to the earlier shifts are selected fairly.