The UNITE HERE Local 737 union held a press conference on September 18th, 2024, to talk about the working conditions of Disney Springs subcontracted restaurant workers.

The press conference included numerous Disney Springs subcontracted workers sharing personal statements, and the release of a report done by the union about working conditions. 

The Local 737 union already represents more than 19,000 Disney World Cast Members who work in Food & Beverage and Housekeeping, as well as workers in the Orlando tourism corridor.

While you might think that the Disney Springs restaurants are operated by Disney, a large majority of them have other owners and operators. There are 56 restaurants at Disney Springs which are not owned by Disney, and the employees there are subconstractors employed by the restaurant owners, rather than by Disney World.

Jeremy Haicken, President of UNITE HERE Local 737, led the press conference where he reviewed the findings of their report on the working conditions for subcontracted Disney Springs restaurant workers.

You can read a full copy of the report right here. The report combined data from 69 subcontracted Disney Springs restaurant workers to give a look at working conditions in some of the restaurants.

The union says these workers deserve higher wages, full-time jobs, access to health insurance, and paid vacation and sick time.

Numerous Disney Springs restaurant workers also shared personal statements about their experiences. Julie, who works at Pizza Ponte, said that “wage is so low I am unable to afford an apartment. I am living in the living room without any privacy.” Julie also said that she “can’t afford a car to even get to work.”

Kristen, who is a server at Maria & Enzo’s spoke about how the lack of health insurance has affected her. She has a chronic health condition and ends up paying almost $500 a month to have health insurance since her current job does not provide it.

Other workers from Morimoto Asia and Maria & Enzo’s also shared statements. They spoke about the lower wages they are paid compared to Disney Cast Members in similar jobs.

Two Disney Cast Members also spoke, saying they believe these subcontracted workers should be treated equally to their Cast Member counterparts. 

Patina Restaurant Group (which owns Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante, Pizza Ponte, and Morimoto Asia) did not respod to our request for comment.

Local 737 said it will assist these workers in efforts to unionize. Stay tuned to DFB for continued coverage of this story.

The post “I Am Living in the Living Room Without Any Privacy” — Disney Springs Restaurant Workers Detail Lower Pay, Lack of Benefits first appeared on the disney food blog.