Disney’s battle with unions representing thousands of Cast Members in Orlando is not over yet.
Cast Members!
Negotiations had been ongoing for quite some time since the Cast Member contracts expired back in October of 2022. Most recently, Cast Members took a vote on Disney’s contract offer, and it was rejected by a 96% margin. The unions and Disney came back to the bargaining table, and now we’ve got an update on that situation.
According to Spectrum News 13, no progress has been made on the negotiations between Disney World and the unions that represent thousands of Cast Members in the parks. Though the negotiations lasted around 9 hours when they “returned to the negotiating table Wednesday,” it seems an agreement could not be reached.
In a post shared on Twitter, Unite Here! Local 362 said that “[d]espite the overwhelming message sent by Cast Members, Disney refused to add even one cent to its wage proposal.”
TRON Cast Member in NEW Costume
They noted that instead, Disney’s most updated proposal “reduced retroactive pay for thousands of workers,” making the offer “even worse than the offer already rejected.”
The 6 unions that form the Services Trades Council will soon announce “public actions” that will “bring light to the plight of Cast Members struggling to survive the devastating increase in the cost of living.”
Statement on today’s bargaining with @WaltDisneyWorld management. #DisneyWorkersNeedaRaise pic.twitter.com/Hm6on3b5gF
— UNITE HERE! Local 362 (@UNITEHERE362) February 16, 2023
Previously, negotiations between Disney and the union leaders were set to take place on Wednesday, February 15th through Thursday, February 16th. According to Spectrum, however, a source indicated that union leaders would NOT be returning to negotiate with Disney on Thursday.
Disney World Cast Members aboard the Walt Disney World Railroad.
Previously, Disney had indicated their offer would provide:
- “25% of non-tipped STCU roles will reach $20 an hour wages in the first year of the contract.
- A third of union workers will see an hourly wage increase of 16% within the first year.
- Housekeeping and bus drivers will see wages increase to at least $20 per hour and culinary workers to $20 to 25 per hour, depending on the role.
- Retroactive pay dating back to October 2022 would be paid starting at a minimum $700 for employees working 40-hour weeks.
- Along with a pension, a new 401(k) option would be implemented.
- Eight weeks of paid child-bonding for eligible workers.”
(Obtained via the Orlando Business Journal.)
Cast Members
Back in early February, Disney shared a statement saying “Our strong offer provides more than 30,000 Cast Members a nearly 10% on average raise immediately, as well as retroactive increased pay in their paychecks, and we are disappointed that those increases are now delayed.”
But the unions representing many Disney workers had previously indicated that Disney’s offer, which proposed raises of “only $1 a year for most workers,” was not enough to address immediate concerns surrounding the increased cost of living. The unions previously demanded an immediate minimum wage of $18 per hour for all Cast Members they represent.
Cast Members
We will have to wait and see what happens next. For now, it appears a deal has not yet been reached so the terms of any eventual offer are still up for debate. Stay tuned for more news.
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30K cast members work 40 hours per week is equal to 1.2M hours per week. Given $3 per hour increase translates into $3.6M per week or about $187M per year.
According to the annual report for 2022, the Parks brought in $7.9B.
I guess someone is worried about their bonus situation instead of the employee’s self-sufficiency.
Jesus, I’d love to be on $20/hour. Hell, I’d settle for $15/hour.
I just watched the Disney World 50th anniversary special. The CEO’s and mangers all stated how the park Cast Members are the most important and valuable part of the parks and how the parks wouldn’t exist without them. So I guess it is all BS since they are willing to pay only them minimal wages with minimal benifits. Sad how cheap and hypocritical Disney Executives and Management can really be when it comes to Cast Members. When it comes to wages, I guess they are not as important and valuable as they say.
So, 6 UNIONS gladly take a portion of the little money these thousands of park workers make as dues to pay themselves for negotiating on their behalf. Seems to me, they owe somebody a refund!
Disney is offering a pension AND a 401K. (Yes, a pension.) Eight paid weeks of child bonding which is for any parent – 8 weeks paid. Good to great benefits. The argument appears to be the wage because “…Cast Members (are) struggling to survive the devastating increase in the cost of living.” Well who isn’t?! (Although I don’t think we are supposed to say that out loud.) Frankly, seeing any leader call this inflation devasting is a breath of fresh air. But, I am sorry; any cast member who paid union dues thinking they would get a raise equivalent to inflation was dreaming. No one is.
Ann: Sorry to burst your bubble, but I myself and many other Union members do receive yearly raises based on inflation. With my Union (IBEW), we receive a 3-1/2% to 5-1/2% cost of living increase depending on the CPI which is always the higher percentage.
As for a real pension (not a 401k wanna-be), you make it seem like it is a rare exception. Sorry but it is the norm for most stronger national unions. Same with what you call good to great benefits. Again, that’s the norm with most national unions, and most offer no cost health, dental, and vision insurance.
It always make me laugh, but it also bothers me when non-union workers claim that unions members make too much money and receive generous benefits. Well maybe those people are just paid too little and just have lousy benefits?