Disney World union seeks to reopen wage talks

A Disney World labor union has signaled it wants to reopen wage negotiations this year.

The Service Trades Council Union (STCU) includes six locals, including Unite Here and Teamsters locals, which represent a range of service workers from housekeepers to bus drivers, lifeguards and cast members. It has 38,000 members.

The last time STCU held talks with Disney World was in 2014, and the company agreed to raise wages gradually to at least $10 an hour starting in 2016.

Shortly after, the raises were extended to all Disney’s approximately 70,000 Orlando employees, not just those represented by unions.

That, in turn, prompted much of Orlando’s hospitality and retail sector to raise wages across the board.

Timeshare magnate David Siegel announced a $10-an-hour starting wage at his Westgate Resorts soon after Disney did.

Even Wal-Mart, which has 11,500 Central Florida employees, announced it would raise its minimum wage to $10 in 2015 amid a tightening job market and national debate about pay.

The STCU said it would provide more details about its request for negotiations Wednesday.

“We plan to put forth an overall employment package that is fair and equitable for the cast and the company,” said Jacquee Wahler, VP of communications for Disney World.

In 2015, hoteliers and other tourism operators had little choice but to match Disney World or risk losing qualified employees, said Abraham Pizam, dean of the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management.

Universal Orlando and SeaWorld both raised starting wages to $9 in June, two months after Disney made its contract offer. Those two companies, unlike Disney, do not have unionized work forces.

Unite Here Local 737 says it represents workers in Orlando area companies such as Walt Disney World Food & Beverage and Housekeeping, Palmas Services, Patina Restaurant Group, the Buena Vista Palace Resort & Spa, the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at the entrance to Universal Orlando, and Centerplate at the Orange County Convention Center.