Walt Disney World
continues its union fight.
In labor talks that have dragged on for nearly a year, Walt Disney World Resort and its largest union didn’t reach an immediate agreement this week. Some union leaders rejected a proposal that would have phased in a minimum wage of $15 by 2021 but would have cut other benefits such as overtime while others argued the proposal should be considered.
“It was dead on arrival,” said Ed Chambers, the president of the Services Trades Council Union on Thursday. “These are all things we’ve bargained for for the past 40-plus years.”
For the proposed wage increase, “To flat out say no to that kind of money is irresponsible,” said Eric Clinton, one of the leaders at the Local HERE unions that represent a majority of the union members on the council.
The negotiations are expected to continue later this summer as the two sides look at compensation — including a $1,000 bonus that Walt Disney Company offered to employees as a result of the GOP tax cut.
In this week’s latest contract offer, Disney proposed increasing the $10 minimum pay over time so it would reach $13 by 2019, $14 by 2020 and $15 by October 2021, according to the company’s offer.
Some union members said they felt that as a trade-off there were too many potential concessions — including cuts to holiday pay and overtime or changes in how employees transferred to new positions or for stewards’ rights — said Chambers, who heads the union coalition of more than 35,000 skilled and unskilled Walt Disney World Resort employees.
Clinton argued Disney’s proposal could be negotiated.
Disney also proposed the same offer — increasing wages by 50 cents an hour retroactively from September 2017 and then again this September — that union members rejected during a December vote as many vowed to fight for higher wages.
A Disney spokeswoman had said in December the company proposed a “fair and reasonable offer” and will continue negotiating with the unions.
Also at stake is a $1,000 bonus — which has been a point of contention between the union members and Walt Disney Company.
Disney announced it was giving $1,000 bonuses but first the Service Trades Council union members must approve the new contract to get the money. In response, the union has filed an unBOGO fair labor practice complaint.
“We’re trying to get that money. That important to our people they want to be treated like everybody else who works at Walt Disney World,” said Chambers. “No matter how you shake it, it’s an excess of a week’s pay.”
Eye, SeaWorld offer May deals
Looking for something to do?
For Mother’s Day, the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye announced it is offering a $139 package that included a private ride for up to four people and a “MOMosa” bar. Children under 3 are free. Extra tickets can be purchased for $20 per person for tax.
A reservation can be made online at officialorlandoeye.com/mom for the package that is available May 11-13 at the attraction on International Drive.
SeaWorld is selling park tickets. Visitors who purchase twomulti park tickets by May 31 will get two visits — to any combination of SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa or Adventure Island — for the price of one, according to a release.
Tourist data on way Thursday
How many tourists visited Orlando in 2017?
Visit Orlando is expected to announce the estimated tourism numbers during an event Thursday in front of hotel and attraction executives and community leaders at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.
Last year, the tourism marketing agency said an estimated 68 million people, a new milestone, visited Orlando in 2016. The record number was reached despite lackluster theme-park attendance figures and lower hotel occupancy.
In 2017, Orlando’s theme parks were temporarily shut down because of Hurricane Irma but also opened new attractions, including Pandora — the World of Avatar at Walt Disney World and Volcano Bay at Universal Orlando Resort.
Throughout the state, tourism numbers increased in 2017 despite Hurricane Irma, Gov. Rick Scott said in March.
Florida set a record for tourists with an estimated 116.5 million in 2017.
“Because of Visit Florida’s aggressive marketing efforts to make sure families across the world knew that Florida was open to visitors following Hurricane Irma, we are able to celebrate another record-breaking year for tourism,” Scott said at the time in a statement. “This is especially great news for the 1.4 million jobs that rely on our growing tourism industry.”