After Union Cast Members rejected Disney’s latest contract offer due to not finding the offer fair, the process may be starting all over again.
The offer was turned down by a whopping 96% of union members, leading many to wonder what would come next. Now, we officially know the answer.
Union Cast Members have been in back-and-forth negotiations with Disney since their contract expired in October 2022. Last we checked in, a whopping 96% of union members rejected Disney’s offer.
The main issue in the contract negotiations has been wages. According to Disney, its offer would have provided 30,000 Cast Members with a pay increase that amounted to “nearly a 10% average” and would have been retroactive back to October 1st.
But, union leaders say their members need bigger raises sooner because of cost-of-living increases in Central Florida. They asked the represented Cast Members to reject the offer, which would have gradually increased starting wages at Walt Disney World to $20 per hour over the next five years.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University said that the average rent in the Orlando area had increased by 8.14% in one year, to an average of $1,995.62 — instead of the typical 3% to 5% per year.
Now, it looks like union leaders are set to begin negotiations with Disney yet again, according to Click Orlando.
Negotiations will begin Wednesday, February 15th at 9AM, at the Sheraton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Resort. They’re scheduled to continue through Thursday.
Union members shared that they’re hoping for a $3 per hour raise in the upcoming contract negotiations.
Disney’s last offer would have stipulated that union Cast Members make at least $5 more than the minimum wage in Florida, which is $11. However, housekeepers, bus drivers, and culinary Cast Members would have been paid at least $20 per hour immediately, according to Disney spokesperson Andrea Finger.
We’ll continue to keep an eye out for more updates on these negotiations, so stay tuned to AllEars for the latest.
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I am currently staying at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort. I went to the coffee/pastry shop in the lobby to get a coffee. I told the person to put my change of $1.70 in the tip jar. And she told me “I can do that but the money won’t go to us. Since we aren’t a sit down restaurant, we can’t take tips. The money will go to the Mouse”. I was stunned. I go to a coffee shop at home and always tip. Every Dunkin Donuts I go to has a tip cup. I told her ” I get, then, why 96% of the employees (and I get she is not one benefiting from negotiations) rejected Disney’s offer. Let me also add that every employee I have encountered during my stay has been wonderful. They deserve whatever they need.
Do not give in Guy’s & Gal’s you will come out on top!