Disney to Pay $233 Million in Historic Wage Theft Settlement

The settlement resolves a class-action lawsuit over Disney's failure to comply with Anaheim's minimum wage law, impacting over 50,000 workers.

The $233 million settlement includes $179.6 million in back pay and retirement contributions, $17.5 million in penalties, and $35 million in attorney fees.
The lawsuit stemmed from Disney's non-compliance with Anaheim's Measure L, a 2018 ordinance mandating higher wages for businesses receiving city tax subsidies.
Disney initially argued it was exempt from Measure L, but an appellate court ruled otherwise in 2023, reversing a previous decision in Disney's favor.
The settlement, if approved by a judge in January 2025, will provide payments to affected workers starting in July 2025, with interest dating back to 2019.
Disney has since raised wages for its employees, with minimum hourly pay reaching $24 in 2024, exceeding both Measure L requirements and California's state minimum wage.