Polls are now open for Disney World Cast Members to cast their votes on a new union contract that would include an immediate minimum wage of $17/hr and a path to an $18/hr minimum wage in December. The Service Trades Council Union, a collective of six of Disney World’s largest Cast Member unions, is recommending a ‘yes’ vote.
The announcement of a tentative agreement on a new contract came last week, and Cast Members will be casting their votes until 7pm tonight. An announcement on the voting results is expected later tonight.
The unions were originally seeking $18/hr and full retroactive pay back to October 2022. Instead, the tentative agreement is for $17/hr and partial retroactive pay back to October 2022, with a path to $18/hr in December 2023. According to a press release from the STCU, every current theme park worker covered by the contract would receive a minimum of $5.50 extra per hour by the end of the contract. The raises will come in phases, with the final raise scheduled for October 2026.
A request to the STCU for more details did not receive a response.
Disney World President Jeff Vahle issued the following statement when the tentative agreement was reached:
Our cast members are central to Walt Disney World’s enduring magic, which is why we are pleased to have reached this tentative agreement. Disney is proud to offer an industry-leading employment package that includes comprehensive benefits and affordable medical coverage, in addition to 100 percent paid tuition for higher education for hourly employees through the Disney Aspire program. With the support of the unions, we anticipate cast members will approve this new agreement.
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