Disney World employs thousands of Cast Members, and many of those Cast Members are part of labor unions.
The unions and Disney have been negotiating over wage increases and healthcare for quite some time, with the latest being an offer and statement from Disney regarding a proposed increase. The current offer includes raises, retroactive back pay, and additional perks for full time cast members like a 401K. And today we have an update on how the unions plan to respond.
To bring you up to speed: the contracts for thousands of Disney unionized employees expired on October 1st. Since then, they’ve been negotiating with Disney for updates to their contracts including wage increases, health care, and more. Unions have requested Disney increase the minimum wage to $18 per hour, and increase the pay of those who make closer to that by $3 to keep up with inflation.
A Disney spokesperson shared this statement with DisneyFoodBlog.com in regard to their current offer: “This very strong offer provides our Cast Members with a nearly 10% average increase immediately and guaranteed raises for the next four years with every single non-tipped Cast Member promised at least a $20 starting wage during the contract, and the majority seeing a 33% to 46% increase during that time.”
However, UNITE HERE Local 737, a union that represents employees that work for Disney World Food & Beverage and Housekeeping, along with other employees in the Orlando area, has shared on its Twitter page that they plan on rejecting Disney’s contract offer.
MEDIA ADVISORY
Thousands of Workers set to Reject Disney’s Contract Offer
After months of negotiations, Disney is proposing raises of only $1 a year for most workers. STCU union members have joined to recommend a “no” vote. #DisneyWorkersNeedaRaise pic.twitter.com/rdcc4NHVJi
— UNITE HERE (@unitehere) January 27, 2023
The post reads, “Thousands of Disney workers are on the verge of rejecting Disney’s wage offer. Workers at Disney have been clear that they need immediate, large raises. All 6 unions representing workers in the Service Trades Council Union (STCU) are recommending that our members vote no on Disney’s contract proposal to keep fighting for the raises workers need.”
It continues, “Disney is proposing raises of $1 a year for most workers, but $1 is not enough to pay for the cost-of-living crisis that workers are facing in Central Florida. Rent and other expenses have skyrocketed, leaving workers in a state of emergency.”
Additionally, UNITE HERE Local 737, shared an infographic showing some of the hardships Cast Members have faced recently due to financial constraints from low wages. The graphic indicates 45% of those surveyed had skipped meals, 40% had physical or mental health problems because of stress about money, and 39% worried about the possibility of becoming unhoused.
The unions say increased cost of living and inflation are also factors. You can read the full statement here.
The Service Trades Council Union will be holding a press conference at 5PM on January 27th to address Disney’s latest offer and take questions. We’ll be keeping an eye out for more updates on the negotiations, so stay tuned to DFB for the latest.
With the amount of money they paid out to Chapek, and the money they pay their CEO’s, Disney can afford to pay their front line employee’s higher wages and better benefit’s that are needed for the cost of living and survival in Central Florida. After all, didn’t Chairman of Walt Disney Parks, Josh D’Amaro just say “There’s No Shortage of Money” as Disney Parks Revenue Increases By $4.3 BILLION in Q3?
It’s bad enough that Disney started to Nickel and Dimes their guest, but it’s obvious they are doing the same to their from line employee’s. Maybe Bob Iger coming back is not going to be such a good thing after all. Well at least for the guest and employee’s as it seems to be the same old thing for now.
I can understand the need for not wanting a gradual raise over 4 years or so. It is a numbers game as people within do not all make the same amount but honestly the guests are paying and have been paying higher costs for everything and service job workers are extremely hard to find in my State. Cast members are an important part of what makes a disney experience. Times have changed and Disney needs to dig a little deeper on raises in a shorter period of time to reap the benefits for the future. I also hope the State of Florida steps up to assist the working class with viable solutions and options to help with housing and general health care. It is important to remember that Disney workers rode out the pandemic too, I am assuming- I see a lot of loyalty here, I would be happy to know that my hard earned money spend at the parks, shop disney and for disney plus supports those that work to bring the magic alive.