The service trades council made up of six unions that represent Disney World Cast Members announced a new agreement today that union members will vote on next week.
Cinderella Castle
Disney World’s full-time, unionized cast members have been working without a contract since October 1st, 2022.
Today’s proposal would make the minimum wage for Disney’s Cast Members $18 per hour, and the increased wages will be retroactive to the date of the contract — October 1st.
“We could not be more proud,” union leaders said. “Every one of the affiliates of the service trades council union will be recommending that their Cast Members vote to support this agreement.”
Unite Here Local 362 announces a new contract proposal for Disney World Cast Members.
“We were able to address many of our priorities early on, but we were at a standstill with Disney over wages,” the union representatives said of the negotiations with Disney.
On February 3rd, union members overwhelmingly rejected a contract proposal that Disney had characterized as its “best offer.” That offer set a minimum wage of $16 for many roles, with a raise each year for 5 years to a $20 minimum wage.
The unions and Disney returned to the bargaining table in mid-February, but negotiations were promptly halted when the unions said Disney “refused to add even one cent to its wage proposal.”
Disney World Cast Members at The Confectionery
The Cast Member unions represent about 43,000 workers.
Negotiations resumed today and resulted in this proposal, which will be put to a vote of union members on Wednesday, March 29th.
Mel Paradiso, a 3rd shift custodial worker at Animal Kingdom, said the $4 per hour raise she will receive in the first year of the contract will be “life-changing” for her family. “We live in a one-bedroom apartment, maybe we will be able to make it two since we have a little one.”
Animal Kingdom
“We got a deal that is just gonna benefit everyone,” Paradiso said.
Nicole, a Cast Member who works as a cook in the EPCOT Festival Kitchen, said the culinary team will be getting raises starting at $4.10 per hour. She said that she will be able to spend more time at home and help her daughters — one of whom is preparing to start medical school.
Union leaders said Disney World Cast Members currently making the minimum starting wage at Disney World will get 36% in wage increases over the life of the contract.
Union voting will be from 7AM to 7PM on Wednesday, March 29th. Union leaders said they would begin counting the vote at 7PM that evening.
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The post BREAKING: Cast Member Unions Announce NEW Agreement With Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog.