Peter Pan arrested at Disneyland gates

By Libby

Mickey and Tinkerbelle too, along with a host of other characters involved in a workers' protest at the front door of the amusement park. It seems the Big House of Mouse wants to reduce costs on the backs of its poorest workers.

The dispute involves about 2,300 maids, bell hops, cooks and dishwashers at three Disney-owned hotels: the Paradise Pier, the Grand Californian and the Disneyland Hotel.

The workers' contract expired in February and their union says Disney's latest proposal makes health care unaffordable for hundreds of employees and creates an unfair two-tier wage system. The union also says Disney wants to create a new category of part-time employees who would receive greatly reduced benefits.

Creating a part time class of workers has been a classic corporate response to a downturn in revenues for as long as I remember, but taking away the established workers health benefits is relatively new. So I have to admit, although I'm a little conflicted about the idea of three year olds being traumatized by seeing Mickey arrested, I understand why they're doing it and I'm glad their dramatic protest is bringing some public attention to the issue.

The Sun has a slideshow of photos of the beloved characters being frogmarched to the pokey. Video coverage, here and here. [Thanks to our researcher Kat for the tip.]