Disney and Service Trades Council Union To Resume Negotiations on Wednesday
Union leaders for one of Florida’s largest Disney cast member unions are heading back to the bargaining table with the company on Wednesday.
The new negotiations are coming on the heels of the Service Trades Union Council rejecting Walt Disney World’s latest contract offer on February 4.
Back To Square One
The Service Trades Council Union, which represents 45,000 workers rejected Disney’s offer to give Cast Members an immediate $1 raise.
“Disney proposed raises of $1 a year for most workers, but $1 is not enough,” the union announced at the time. “This leaves behind over 30,000 Cast Members struggling with the cost of living in Central Florida.”
The union’s biggest concern has been the rising cost of living in central Florida, a cost, that they say Disney’s wages have failed to keep up with.
Disney on the other hand, has argued that their new offer was both fair and generous.
Photo Credit: Walt Disney World Cast and Community Facebook
Disney’s Rejected Offer
“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,” Disney spokesperson Andrea Finger wrote.
In addition to the one dollar raise, Disney also offered a minimum $20 per hour wage for full-time workers, and a promise that wages would remain $5 above Florida’s minimum wage.
Despite Disney’s offer, 95% of union members voted to reject the latest offer.
What’s Next
The next round of negotiations are schedule to begin Wednesday, February 15, starting at 9 am. The two sides will meet at the Sheraton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Resort and is expected to continue through Thursday.
Union members told News 6 that they are hoping for a $3-an-hour raise in the upcoming negotiations.
Photo: Instagram@JoshD’amaro
As always, be sure to check back in with MickeyBlog. We will continue to bring you updates on the Walt Disney World union negotiations.
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