Anaheim, California — The Walt Disney Company has agreed to pay $233 million to settle a significant wage theft lawsuit filed by Disneyland workers, marking California’s largest such case to date. The settlement was reached on Friday and follows a legal battle five years ago when workers accused Disney of disregarding Anaheim’s minimum wage law.
The case revolves around claims that Disneyland workers were not paid in accordance with the city’s wage regulations. The settlement will provide back pay, including interest dating back to 2019, to over 50,000 current and former employees. This agreement comes as the city is set to increase its minimum wage to $20.50 in the new year.
Disneyland spokesperson Suzi Brown confirmed that all workers now earn at least the minimum wage of $19.90 per hour, which aligns with the city’s Measure L. However, labor advocates say this wage adjustment comes after years of underpayment.
Peter Dreier, a public policy professor at Occidental College, stated that the company had been underpaying workers for years. He emphasized that it was only fair for them to receive what they were owed.
The case dates back to 2018 when Disneyland workers first raised concerns about wage discrepancies. The lawsuit was filed in December 2019, and the final ruling on the settlement will take place in January 2024.
