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29 May 1941: Disney animators strike
Published 4 weeks, 1 day ago
Description
On this day, 29 May 1941, animators for Disney in Los Angeles walked out on strike when 16 union cartoonists were fired for demanding union recognition, including Goofy creator Art Babbitt.
Disney workers held a mass meeting the previous day where an assistant to Babbitt put forward a motion to strike, which was approved. On May 29, hundreds of men and women set up picket lines outside Disney studios and set up a protest camp in a field across the road. The majority of cartoonists, including non-union members, respected the strike. Warner Bros cartoonists also marched over to Disney at one point dressed as French revolutionaries from 1789. Union chefs from nearby restaurants also showed solidarity with the strike by cooking for pickets before and after work. One day rumours circulated that hired thugs were going to attack the strikers, so mechanics from Burbank airport armed themselves with wrenches and went to guard the strikers' camp.
Walt Disney drove across the picket line every day, and on one occasion got out of his car to try to attack Babbitt. Eventually, after five weeks, the strike was settled by mediators who ruled in favour of the union on every issue, and the workers received pay increases of nearly 50% in many cases. Babbitt also won his job back following a lawsuit.
Walt Disney was bitter about his defeat until he died (lol).
More information, sources and map: https://stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/10122/disney-animators'-strike
Our work is only possible because of support from you, our listeners on patreon. If you appreciate our work, please join us and access exclusive content and benefits at patreon.com/workingclasshistory.
Disney workers held a mass meeting the previous day where an assistant to Babbitt put forward a motion to strike, which was approved. On May 29, hundreds of men and women set up picket lines outside Disney studios and set up a protest camp in a field across the road. The majority of cartoonists, including non-union members, respected the strike. Warner Bros cartoonists also marched over to Disney at one point dressed as French revolutionaries from 1789. Union chefs from nearby restaurants also showed solidarity with the strike by cooking for pickets before and after work. One day rumours circulated that hired thugs were going to attack the strikers, so mechanics from Burbank airport armed themselves with wrenches and went to guard the strikers' camp.
Walt Disney drove across the picket line every day, and on one occasion got out of his car to try to attack Babbitt. Eventually, after five weeks, the strike was settled by mediators who ruled in favour of the union on every issue, and the workers received pay increases of nearly 50% in many cases. Babbitt also won his job back following a lawsuit.
Walt Disney was bitter about his defeat until he died (lol).
More information, sources and map: https://stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/10122/disney-animators'-strike
Our work is only possible because of support from you, our listeners on patreon. If you appreciate our work, please join us and access exclusive content and benefits at patreon.com/workingclasshistory.
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