Disney workers approve contract

speck76 · Nov 18, 2004

Thousands of Walt Disney World workers approved a new three-year labor deal tonight, ending eight months of negotiations that created deep divisions within Disney's largest group of unions.

The new contract -- which covers more than 40 percent of Disney's workforce -- guarantees pay raises and significant increases in health care premiums for 22,000 theme park and hotel workers, while ending talk of a possible strike at the resort.

The contract passed 3771 to 2669, a week after workers unexpectedly voted down an almost identical offer from Disney.

The six unions that make up the Service Trades Council cover a diverse group, everyone from bus drivers and hotel maids to cooks and the costumed characters who play Mickey and Minnie.

The council formed decades ago, based on the idea that a large group of unified workers can negotiate a better deal than a smaller one.

This year, though, the council's leaders were anything but unified. And now, some of the six union leaders are publicly wondering whether the council can -- or should -- stay together.

TravisMT81 · Nov 18, 2004

glad this is over with.

speck76 · Nov 18, 2004

TravisMT81 said:
glad this is over with.

me too

As for breaking up the Council....I think that is only the start. How long is it going to be before the skilled workers come to the conclusion that having non-skilled workers represented by the union is hurting, not helping. Some people believe in "strength in numbers".....but sometimes, numbers just water things down.

jcraycraft · Nov 18, 2004

Speck76

Thanks for the update. Hope things work out ok for the CMs.

FamilyMan · Nov 18, 2004

Excellent news. Anyone have the details on what the new terms are?

WDWKat26 · Nov 18, 2004

Finally! I also want to know what the new terms are.

speck76 · Nov 18, 2004

Highlights of the deal include:

* Non-tipped workers who currently earn top scale would receive a 20-cents-an-hour increase and a lump-sum bonus of about $1,500 during the contract's first year. Another lump sum payment would come in the second year;

* A guaranteed 32-hour workweek, up two hours;

* A 10-cent raise of the starting minimum wage, up to $6.80 an hour.

TravisMT81 · Nov 18, 2004

same terms as what they voted on last week.

jcraycraft · Nov 18, 2004

TravisMT81 said:
same terms as what they voted on last week.

Looks like the one-time annual bonuses can now be take in a lump sum or paid out weekly vs. last weeks’ deal. This according to the Orlando Sentinel article posted on the 18th.

>>>>>>>

"Disney negotiators and union leaders hashed out a new deal this week with the help of a federal mediator.

The only "significant" change, Chambers said, involved one-time annual bonuses for some employees, which can be taken in a lump sum or paid out weekly. For those who take it weekly, Disney agreed to pay out the balance of the bonus if an employee leaves the company, he said."

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busi...nov18,1,1495980.story?coll=orl-home-headlines

daksimba · Nov 18, 2004

And people wonder why I don't join the union.

This is the third contract talks since I started working for the company, and this is the third time that we have gotten crap out of it.

Every three years the same thing "We'll regroup next time and get it."

Unions in Florida are useless.

longfamily · Nov 18, 2004

Wow.

It is great that these people are to recieve a little extra to help with the insurance expense. What happens after the years that they no longer get a bonus?

SpaceRacer2003 · Nov 18, 2004

daksimba said:
And people wonder why I don't join the union.

This is the third contract talks since I started working for the company, and this is the third time that we have gotten crap out of it.

You didn't vote against it, then why complain that you get crap?

daksimba · Nov 19, 2004

SpaceRacer2003 said:
You didn't vote against it, then why complain that you get crap?

Are you going to pay the union dues for me? In case you didn't do the math, the union dues would be the same as the 4% that this contract gives us. In other words, I would be paying the union all of my 4% to give me what?

Why am I going to give away all of the extra money that this pathetic contract gives me to an union that couldn't get us anything for 9 years?

I don't know about you, but if an employee doesn't provide the expected service for 9 years, you stop paying him money and fire him.

boo52 · Nov 19, 2004

daksimba said:
Are you going to pay the union dues for me? In case you didn't do the math, the union dues would be the same as the 4% that this contract gives us. In other words, I would be paying the union all of my 4% to give me what?

Why am I going to give away all of the extra money that this pathetic contract gives me to an union that couldn't get us anything for 9 years?

I don't know about you, but if an employee doesn't provide the expected service for 9 years, you stop paying him money and fire him.

I agree if you aren't a union member, then you have NO right to complain. But thats OK, enjoy riding on union members coat tails for free and bad mouthing everything from the backseat. The union may not be strong in Florida, but if it weren't for them at Disney, you could be fired for the most minor of instances WITHOUT any kind of grievence procedure, NO overtime UNTIL you hit 40 hours, NO guarentee of 32 hours, NO protection of Layoffs. Need I list more?

Stitchfan712 · Nov 19, 2004

YES!!!!!! :sohappy:

I'm so glad to hear this! Those provisions are pretty similar to the last one though. Surprising that just the lump-sum change tilted the balance. But at least it helps the cast members a little. It's not much in my eyes...but...better than nothing.

Invero · Nov 19, 2004

FamilyMan said:
Excellent news. Anyone have the details on what the new terms are?

Same crap as the prior two votes... only difference is this time many ballots were pre-checked 'yes', and many cast members were told they wouldn't have a job if they voted no. They were basically misled, and forced to vote yes. Had they had the real truth, it might have been different.

Invero · Nov 19, 2004

daksimba said:
And people wonder why I don't join the union.

This is the third contract talks since I started working for the company, and this is the third time that we have gotten crap out of it.

Unions in Florida are useless.

Not neccessarily. Bus drivers are Teamsters, and have over 85% membership. As such, we were able to negotiate a sidebar contract that included an additional raise.

daksimba · Nov 19, 2004

boo52 said:
I agree if you aren't a union member, then you have NO right to complain. But thats OK, enjoy riding on union members coat tails for free and bad mouthing everything from the backseat. The union may not be strong in Florida, but if it weren't for them at Disney, you could be fired for the most minor of instances WITHOUT any kind of grievence procedure, NO overtime UNTIL you hit 40 hours, NO guarentee of 32 hours, NO protection of Layoffs. Need I list more?

Actually, many of those things are covered under federal law, not union.

So you wanna try again?

Yen_Sid1 · Nov 19, 2004

daksimba said:
Actually, many of those things are covered under federal law, not union.

So you wanna try again?

Which items are covered by federal law?

TVT · Nov 19, 2004

Florida is a right to work state. And being an ex-Teamsters rep.....The CM's got thre shaft. There were side deals cut which will be investigated. All that being said....your local is only as strong as it's leadership....THERE is your problem.

Disney workers approve contract

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