Skift Take
Approximately 32,000 union workers at Walt Disney World will get raises of about $3 an hour by the end of the year and raises of about 37 percent of their current salaries by 2026 under a tentative five-year agreement.
Walt Disney World union workers are set to get raises that equate to about $3 an hour by the end of year and raises of about 37 percent of their current salaries by 2026 under a tentative five-year agreement.
Under this agreement, which is subject to approval by Services Trades Council Union (STCU) members, every current theme park worker in the union will receive a raise between $5.50 and $8.60 by 2026, with the first $3 in raises this year. Walt Disney World’s minimum wage will increase from $15 to $18 by the year’s end.
“Securing an $18.00 minimum hourly rate this year, increasing the overall economic value of Disney’s original offer, and ensuring full back pay for every worker are the priorities union members were determined to fight for. Today, we won that fight,” said STCU President Matt Hollis.
In February, 14,000 union members voted to reject Disney’s previous $17 minimum hourly rate offer. Instead, they vowed to keep fighting for $18, which they successfully negotiated.
Another notable agreement happened at the end of January when hundreds of workers employed by food services company Sodexo at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando who were ready to strike reached an agreement. That included a historic minimum wage increase from $13 to $18.50 an hour and a pension.
The hope was this increase would pave the way for other hospitality workers in Central Florida, said Angie McKinnon, financial secretary-treasurer of Unite Here Local 737.
“Disney is one of biggest employers in Central Florida, and we are in a contract fight with them right now. What we won at the convention center will set a new standard in Central Florida,” said McKinnon at the time, and this is what has transpired.
Photo credit: Brian McGowan / Unsplash
