Cast Members Approve New Union Contract, Getting Much Needed Raise

For months, Walt Disney World Resort Cast Members were fighting Disney for higher wages. A union representing thousands of Cast Members was going back and forth with the House of Mouse about the minimum hourly rate for Cast Members. Contract negotiations came to a halt when the two sides could not come to an agreement. Cast Members got so disheartened that they stood outside The Most Magical Place on Earth and rallied for a raise. The union wanted Disney’s hourly rate to be raised to $18 per hour with retroactive back pay. Disney, on the other hand, wanted to keep the starting wage at $15 an hour, with a $1 guaranteed raise every year until it reached $20.

At one point during negotiations, the union said that Disney was refusing to negotiate and offer more money. Finally, the two sides came back to the table and an agreement was made. Disney agreed to raise the wages of current Cast Members to a minimum of $18 per hour. Once that happened, Disney would be the highest-paying tourism employer in Orlando. Universal Orlando is right behind Disney at $17 an hour — a change they made while Disney was in the midst of its negotiations.

Finally, last week, Disney and the union came to a tentative agreement. Disney agreed to raise Cast Member wages to $18 per hour by the end of the year. It is now being reported that Disney World Cast Members have approved of Disney’s offer, with 97% voting in favor. News of the successful deal was shared by theme park reporter Scott Gustin.

BREAKING: UNITE HERE Local 737 announces over 12,500 Cast Members voted on the new union contract – and 97% voted to approve.

BREAKING: UNITE HERE Local 737 announces over 12,500 Cast Members voted on the new union contract – and 97% voted to approve.

— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) March 30, 2023

Walt Disney World Resort President Jeff Vahle released a short statement after the deal was approved. Vahle was excited that the two sides could come to an agreement and that Disney World Cast Members were happy.

“Our cast members have always been at the heart of the Walt Disney World experience, and we are thrilled that, with the support of the union, they have overwhelmingly approved this new five-year agreement that significantly increases wages, alongside our leading benefits program that includes affordable medical coverage and more. Frontline employees also have access to 100 percent paid tuition for higher education through the Disney Aspire program.

Jeff Vahle, President of Walt Disney World Resort, with a statement on the STCU approval vote: pic.twitter.com/M3Tiqk1331

— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) March 30, 2023

The new contract will immediately raise the hourly rate for new and existing Cast Members to $17 per hour. The rate will be raised to $18 per hour by the end of the year. There will also be retroactive pay and annual increases. Disney has also agreed that beginning in 2024, its starting rate for all Cast Members will be $18 per hour. Florida minimum wage is currently $11 per hour and will be raised to $12 per hour in September.