Legal Battles and Turning Points
Disney had long argued it was not bound by Measure L, but the tide shifted in July 2023 when a California appeals court ruled otherwise. The court said tax rebate agreements with the city meant Disney qualified under the ordinance.
When Disney appealed to the California Supreme Court, the justices declined to intervene, cementing the appellate ruling. That left only one question: the size of the remedy. Facing certain liability, Disney ultimately agreed in December to the $233 million settlement.
A Boost for Workers—and a Signal to Other Cities
McCracken emphasized that the ruling proves the power of litigation in enforcing worker protections. “Because coverage under the living wage law was established in court, employees secured every dollar owed to them. This case shows what local wage laws can achieve.”
Worker advocates hope the result sparks similar ordinances across California. “The increase in earnings will ripple outward,” McCracken added, “boosting not only individual families but also local economies.”
