After months of fighting for a fair contract, thousands of union Disney World employees in Orlando approved a new union contract with Walt Disney World on Wednesday that delivers wage increases for all of the theme park’s union workers and paid child bonding leave.
Out of 12,650 workers across Disney World who participated in the single-day vote (not an easy feat to arrange), 97% voted in favor of the contract.
A group of around 200 Disney World workers (or "cast members" as they're referred to by the company) at the Wyndham Orlando Resort and Conference Center in Kissimmee Wednesday night celebrated the vote.
"When we fight, we win!" the group chanted, to applause and cheers from a room emanating with high energy after a high-stakes fight.
The new contract was negotiated by the Service Trades Council Union, a coalition of six labor unions that altogether represent about 42,000 Walt Disney World employees across the parks, ranging from workers in attractions, to housekeeping, transit workers, food service workers, character performers and more.
The agreement raises Disney World’s minimum wage to $18 per hour, up from $15, by the end of the year.
Non-tipped workers in job classifications that currently earn Disney World’s minimum $15 hourly rate — such as union dishwashers, as well as some of Disney’s costuming specialists, custodial workers, and laundry workers — will see a raise to $17 per hour minimum, immediately upon ratification of the contract.
They’ll also receive...
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