Disney union releases statement, seeking $18 minimum wage

Negotiations between Disney and the six unions of the Service Trades Council appear to be at a standstill after the latest meeting this week.

This is less than two weeks after unionized Disney World workers rejected a contract proposal from Disney that offer a $1 pay raise for this year to $17 an hour.

The offer, according to Disney, included an option that would have raised wages for non-tipped workers to at least $17 an hour, upon ratification of the contract by both parties, with some workers reaching $20 within the first year. 

The unions are seeking a an $18 minimum in 2023 and full retroactive pay.

Here’s the latest statement from UNITE Here Local and 373:

On February 15, Disney made a new contract proposal. The Union made it clear to Disney that their proposal is unacceptable.

For Cooks, Dishwashers and Housekeepers who will get an initial raise of over $1, Disney proposed to reduce the retroactive pay to only $1.

For example, under Disney’s new proposal, a Housekeeper who will get an initial raise from $17 to $20 would not get retroactive pay calculated on the full $3 raise. Instead, Disney proposed that retroactive pay will be calculated on only $1.

The Union will never accept Disney’s proposed reduction of retroactive pay. We will fight until the Company proposes the full retroactive pay owed to all Cast Members.

In addition, Disney failed to agree to the Union’s proposed minimum of $18 in 2023. Disney did propose a $1 raise on the date the Union’s members vote to accept this proposal. That would mean a minimum of $17 in 2023 for current Cast Members.

QSR, Seaters, Convention Guides and Food Handlers would all get only $1 per year under Disney’s new proposal: $16 retroactive to Oct. 2022 and only $17 when the Union’s members vote to accept. The Union does not agree to this proposal.

Both the Union and the Company continue to propose the large raises for Culinary, Stewarding and Housekeeping that we presented during the vote earlier this month. For example:

– Housekeeping: Increase from $17 to $20

– Stewarding: Increase from $15 to $18

– Cook 2: $16.40 to $20

– Cook 1: $19 to $23.10

– Chef Assistant: $20 to $24.60

13,650 Union members voted “NO” to Disney’s proposal and “NO” to poverty. Disney’s new proposal still leaves Cast Members struggling to pay for rent, gas and groceries. We will fight until we win an $18 minimum in 2023 and full retroactive pay. Keep following this page for information about the next public Union actions!

Unite Here Local 373