DisneyFanatic.com The Latest News, Advice, and Perspective from Disney Fans for Disney Fans!
Negotiations appear to have broken down just as they restarted between officials at The Walt Disney World Resort and the Cast Member Labor Unions.
At the beginning of February, union members who represent much of Disney World’s Food and Beverage and Housekeeping Cast Members were offered a new deal that included an immediate $1/hour increase in base pay with subsequent guaranteed base pay raises by $1 over the next four years, culminating in a $20/hour minimum wage that still exceeded the State rate.
But the union members were instructed by their leaders to vote against the offer and did so in a decisive fashion. Negotiations were supposed to resume this week as the employees seek a guaranteed $18/hour due to the rising cost of living in the Orlando area. Now, it appears that Disney is not so keen on giving it to them.
The Central Florida Union in question shared a statement from the Service Trades Council and reported, “Despite the overwhelming message sent by Cast Members, Disney refused to add even one cent to its wage proposal.”
Credit: Unite Here! Local 737
Disney’s original offer also included extensive retroactive pay that would cover necessary increases in pay over the course of several months. Now, that retroactive pay offer has reportedly been reduced. Little doubt it is due to some insult taken by Disney on a deal they considered “strong.”
Statement from STCU about Disney negotiations:#DisneyWorkersNeedARaise #DisneyDoBetter pic.twitter.com/1E53G2j3vV
— UNITE HERE Local 737 (@UniteHere737) February 16, 2023
Related: Here’s How Disney’s Layoffs Are Going to Affect the Disney Parks
This news follows Universal Orlando Resort’s announcement that it would be raising its minimum wage for undisclosed Team Members to $17/hour in June.
It should be noted that while the six unions struggle to come to what they see as a good deal, The Walt Disney Company as a whole is setting up to lay off at least 7,000 employees as CEO Bob Iger works to reign in spending.
It is unclear at this time how this breakdown in negotiations will affect the Guest experience at The Walt Disney World Resort and if these Disney workers will have a chance to rescind their previous rejection.
