Patina Group, the third-party operator behind Disney Springs restaurants The Edison, Morimoto Asia and Space 220 (among other locations), has reached a settlement in a two-year federal labor case tied to a union drive at its Disney Springs restaurants. Orlando Weekly first reported the deal with the National Labor Relations Board, reached before the case went to trial. It includes back pay for Julie Ruiz, the Pizza Ponte server whose firing the union called retaliation. Here’s the latest.
Patina Group Reaches NLRB Settlement Over Disney Springs Union Drive
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- What Patina Group agreed to in its settlement with the National Labor Relations Board.
- How the case grew out of a 2024 union drive at five Disney Springs restaurants.
- Where Disney and the organizing effort stand now.
Patina’s settlement closes out a case that started with workers at five Disney Springs restaurants and eventually drew in local politicians and a federal order. The company, a subsidiary of Delaware North, also operates Space 220 and the Italy Pavilion restaurants at EPCOT.
What Patina Agreed To in the Settlement
According to Orlando Weekly, Patina agreed to settle ahead of a trial that had been set for September 15th. The deal includes back pay for Ruiz, though the union did not disclose the amount. In June, the National Labor Relations Board’s general counsel had ordered Patina to stop the alleged intimidation, rehire Ruiz, and pay her back wages, and Patina initially indicated it would not comply. The report doesn’t say whether Ruiz will return to her job.
Patina also emailed its Disney Springs employees in early October to confirm their right to form or join a union. It posted notices with the same message in break rooms. Under the board’s order, those notices must remain posted for 60 days. Lauren Hewitt, a server at Maria & Enzo’s who supports the union, told Orlando Weekly the work group chat lit up that day. Her reaction to the news was simple: “Oh, it’s very validating.”
Neither Disney nor Patina issued a statement.
How the Disney Springs Union Drive Got Here
Workers at five nonunion Patina restaurants at Disney Springs began organizing with Unite Here Local 737 in 2024. Those restaurants are Morimoto Asia, Pizza Ponte, Maria & Enzo’s, The Edison and Enzo’s Hideaway. That September, Local 737 called third-party restaurant jobs at Disney Springs “second class” because they lack many of the benefits Disney Cast Members get.
The union filed complaints alleging that Patina watched workers to spot union activity, threatened to withhold promotions, and pressured workers against unionizing. Those complaints also named Space 220 at EPCOT. Patina then fired Ruiz, who had backed the union and reported sexual harassment by a manager at Pizza Ponte. The union said the stated reason was a single earbud that Ruiz wore to work. Workers rallied behind her at an October 2024 press conference alongside State Representative Anna Eskamani.
Orange County commissioners, Eskamani and U.S. Representative Maxwell Frost all urged Patina to investigate and fix the situation. By August 2025, a National Labor Relations Board regional director had issued a complaint against Patina that included six allegations of illegal surveillance by management. That complaint came as unionized Patina workers at the EPCOT Italy Pavilion prepared for a strike authorization vote.
Disney has stayed out of the fight, according to Orlando Weekly, even as workers called on the company to drop its contracts with Patina. The settlement doesn’t appear to include union recognition at the five restaurants. Orlando Weekly describes the organizing effort as ongoing.
Story So Far
- April 2024: Workers at Patina Group restaurants at Disney Springs, including The Edison, Pizza Ponte and Morimoto Asia, announced plans to unionize with Unite Here Local 737.
- September 18, 2024: Local 737 called third-party restaurant jobs at Disney Springs “second class” in a report on worker benefits.
- October 2024: Workers and State Representative Anna Eskamani turned up the heat on Patina after the firing of a Pizza Ponte server who had reported sexual harassment.
- August 2025: A National Labor Relations Board regional director issued a complaint against Patina over alleged surveillance and threats.
- June 2026: The board’s general counsel ordered Patina to rehire Ruiz and pay her back wages.
- October 2026: Patina emailed Disney Springs workers and posted union rights notices as part of its settlement.
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