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.

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.

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.

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).

We’ll watch for more updates, so stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news.

Click here to learn more about the Disney Cast Member unions.

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The post NEWS: Negotiations To Resume After Cast Members Rejected Disney World’s Contract first appeared on the disney food blog.