The UNITE HERE Local 737 union held a press conference on September 18th, 2024, to talk about the pay and benefits for restaurant workers who work in Disney Springs restaurant locations that are not owned by Disney.
Disney Springs
The press conference included numerous Disney Springs workers sharing personal statements, and the release of a report done by the union about working conditions.
The Local 737 union already represents more than 19,000 Disney World Cast Members who work in Food & Beverage and Housekeeping, as well as workers in the Orlando tourism corridor.
Local 737
While you might think that the Disney Springs restaurants are operated by Disney, a large majority of them have other owners and operators. There are 56 restaurants at Disney Springs which are not owned by Disney, and the employees there are employed by the restaurant owners, rather than by Disney World.
The meeting
Jeremy Haicken, President of UNITE HERE Local 737, led the press conference where he reviewed the findings of their report on the pay and benefits for these Disney Springs restaurant workers.
Disney Springs
You can read a full copy of the report right here. The report combined data from 69 restaurant workers to give a look at working conditions in some of the restaurants.
Disney Springs
The union says these workers deserve higher wages, full-time jobs, access to health insurance, and paid vacation and sick time.
Local 737 Press Conference
Numerous Disney Springs restaurant workers also shared personal statements about their experiences. Julie, who works at Pizza Ponte, said that “wage is so low I am unable to afford an apartment. I am living in the living room without any privacy.” Julie also said that she “can’t afford a car to even get to work.”
Pizza Ponte
Kristen, who is a server at Maria & Enzo’s spoke about how the lack of health insurance has affected her. She has a chronic health condition and ends up paying almost $500 a month to have health insurance since her current job does not provide it.
Maria & Enzo’s
Other workers from Morimoto Asia and Maria & Enzo’s also shared statements. They spoke about the lower wages they are paid compared to Disney Cast Members in similar jobs.
Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante
Two Disney Cast Members also spoke, saying they believe these workers employed by restaurant companies other than Disney should be treated equally to their Cast Member counterparts.
Disney Springs
Patina Restaurant Group (which owns Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante, Pizza Ponte, and Morimoto Asia) did not respond to our request for comment.
Disney Springs
Local 737 said it will assist these workers in efforts to unionize. Stay tuned to DFB for continued coverage of this story.
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Usually contracted or temp workers get a hirer hourly wage with no benefits (unless you get them from your agency). As a contracted worker in my state, I made $10 more an hour than the regular full timers (they had benefits). I hope they get a decent wage, don’t know if they will get benefits.
“ The union says these workers deserve higher wages, full-time jobs, access to health insurance, and paid vacation and sick time.‘
Sure and lollipops, gumdrops and sparkling unicorns… Grow up and act like adults. Guess what, if you don’t like working there you can get a job someplace else – that is if anyone else wants to hire a bunch of whiny, spoiled brats.
That’s disappointing, especially during a state of inflation. The Patina Group has restaurants near me, and I won’t go to them due to this issue.
Anyone who had worked in hospitality knows just how hard the jobs are and how underpaid people can be.
Guess those tips are not being counted
“ Sure and lollipops, gumdrops and sparkling unicorns… Grow up and act like adults. Guess what, if you don’t like working there you can get a job someplace else – that is if anyone else wants to hire a bunch of whiny, spoiled brats”
I sincerely hope you don’t frequent restaurants, hotels, or any hospitality environments
These restaurants are very profitable. There is no excuse for not providing, at minimum, a wage similar to what Disney employees earn for the same job. Offering only part time employment or varying hours from week to week is often a deliberate tactic by companies to avoid paying overtime and benefits. I wish Disney would include some more employee-supportive requirements in their contracts with these restaurants. Shame on those who are blaming the workers who are trying to survive in an expensive area. I bet you would be the first to complain if the service wasn’t good or menus were “dumbed down” because they couldn’t hire enough people to get the jobs done.