Disney Cast Member unions recently rejected a new contract offer from Disney, stating that the offer extended was not sufficient to meet the needs of the company’s employees.
©Orlando Sentinel
Now, negotiations are set to begin again between Cast Member unions and Disney, as both sides search for a compromise between Disney’s offer and the unions’ demands.
In early February, members of six unions representing Disney World employees voted no on a contract that Disney offered. According to Disney, the rejected contract offered the following:
- $20 per hour wage for full-time, non-tipped STCU roles during the contract’s term
- Wages for full-time, non-tipped cast members will remain at least $5 above Florida’s minimum wage each year
- 8 weeks paid child bonding for eligible full-time cast
- Nearly 10% average pay increase during the first year
- Immediate minimum $20 per hour wage for select roles, including housekeeping, bus drivers and culinary staff
- Retroactive pay increase for cast members dating back to October 2022, starting at a minimum of $700 for cast members working 40 hours per week
The unions stated that Cast Members need bigger wages sooner (instead of gradual raises over time) because of cost-of-living increases in Central Florida. In a prepared statement before the last vote, the unions said, “Rent and other expenses have skyrocketed, leaving workers in a state of emergency.” The unions represent about 45,000 employees, and the main issue being disputed is wages.
©Orlando Sentinel
A Disney spokesperson commented after the voting took place that Disney is “disappointed that those [pay] increases are now delayed” due to the rejected contract.
Disney World Entrance
Now, negotiations between Disney and the union leaders are set to begin again on Wednesday, February 15th, starting at 9AM at the Sheraton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Resort (according to ClickOrlando). The negotiations will go through Thursday, February 17th. Union members are invited to come to the negotiations.
The unions are still demanding an immediate minimum wage of $18 per hour for all Cast Members they represent (a $3-an-hour raise).
Cinderella Castle
We’ll watch for more updates, so stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news.
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Cast members deserve to make a living wage, that includes the same perks and benefits that are available to the oxygen thieving corporate executives of Disney. Disney has more than enough money to pay each cast member a minimum of $100,000 a year salary; coupled with premium health benefits, retirement packages, life insurance, etc.
Disney just released the salaries of the board members, they raised the park ticket and passes prices, and Josh D’Armaro recently stated that there is money shoratge for the parks. So yeah, Disney can easily afford to pay the Orlando park employee’s a decent wage as well as full benifits.
Disney Corp has made a lot of changes and this has impacted the guest experience especially if staying on property but also in the parks with profit on Genie selections, no more bus serve and parking fees (PF now lifted). If Disney Corp is looking to ultimately have only vacation club members and day only park experiences then further push over costs to the guests as well as low pay for employees is a wish fulfilling prophecy- which is misguided to say the least.
Disney has yet So much to build on and so much more to achieve to continually bring the magic across all platforms and this happens because of its employees. They should be paid at least 18 per hour across the board if they are not already . There are not two Disney’s the board and the workers there is one dream continuing to be expanded together – So Disney Corp make it happen.