Walt Disney Co. is facing a lawsuit accusing them of consistently underpaying maintenance workers at their Southern California hotels.
The lawsuit, filed in Orange County Superior Court against Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S. Inc., and Disney Worldwide Services Inc., claims that Disney made workers provide their own hand tools and equipment without paying double the minimum wage rate required by state labor law for employers who don’t provide necessary tools.
Additionally, Disney allegedly didn’t give workers rest or meal breaks and failed to pay the correct overtime rates.
The lawsuit, brought by assistant maintenance engineer Charlie Torres on behalf of approximately 100 maintenance engineers and 16 assistant maintenance engineers, seeks at least $1 million in back pay.
Disney has not yet commented on the lawsuit.
Attorney Ron Zambrano, representing Torres, stated, “Disney couldn’t even pay for basic tools. Disney, like Uncle Scrooge, chooses to be cheap despite being a massive company.”
This lawsuit is not the only legal challenge Disney may face in the near future. A gender pay-equity lawsuit filed in 2019 against Disney recently gained certification for a class-action of nearly 9,000 women alleging they were paid less than male counterparts.