Disney & Union can't agree, will seek mediation

[Alektronic]

Disney, union to seek mediation in deadlocked contract talks

By Jason Garcia, Orlando Sentinel
4:22 PM EDT, November 5, 2010

​

Walt Disney World and its largest union group have agreed to bring in a federal mediator to help resolve deadlocked contract talks, the two sides announced Friday.
As part of the move, Disney and the Service Trades Council extended their current labor contract until Dec. 11. The contract, which had already been extended twice, had been set to expire in a few days.
Mediation meetings have been scheduled for Dec. 2.
Disney and the Service Trades Council were forced to turn to outside mediators during contract negotiations in 1998, 2001 and 2004. But they were able to avoid doing so during their last round of talks in 2007.
"Frankly, I much prefer it when the parties can reach agreement directly and personally," Service Trades Council President Harris Raynor said. "But [mediation is] a tool that people use in labor relations and let's hope it helps everybody see the other guy's point of view."
The Trades Council represents approximately 20,800 full-time workers at Disney World, from housekeepers and cooks to costumed characters and monorail pilots.
The current negotiations began in June. But they stalled last month, when workers voted down a proposed 42-month contract that critics claimed would have unfairly distributed raises and not lifted wages enough to offset rising health-insurance costs.
The two sides briefly returned to the negotiating table last week. But Disney rejected a new union proposal and responded by offering up the same contract that had been voted down — minus a $100 bonus the company had promised every full-time employee had the contract been ratified on the first vote.
In a joint statement, Disney and the union said "reaching an agreement on a new contract remains a priority."

 

[raven]

One win for the Local 362: Disney will now be taking care of the purchase of our shoes.

 

[Alektronic]

At least, there won't be any disruptions during the holidays.


Disney union leader wants second vote

By Jason Garcia, Orlando Sentinel
6:31 PM EST, December 9, 2010

​

The head of Walt Disney World's largest labor group called Thursday for a second vote on a contract that workers narrowly rejected eight weeks ago — and criticized some fellow union leaders who are blocking another vote.
The move exposed the deepening fissures between the six unions that make up Disney World's Service Trades Council, which is deadlocked in its contract talks with the giant resort. Three of the six unions are pressing for another vote on what Disney says is its final offer, while the other three want to escalate pressure on the company in hopes of winning further concessions.
Harris Raynor, the council's president and head of its largest individual union, noted that more than 3,300 workers — about 46 percent of those voting — supported the contract proposal during an initial vote in mid-October. The final vote, according to multiple people familiar with the tallies, was 3,880 against the agreement versus 3,350 for it.
"Those 3,300 people who voted yes have rights. They and a lot of other people would like to vote again. And they're not being allowed to," Raynor said. "Not allowing people to vote, I think, is un-democratic."
Opponents said there is no reason to vote again unless Disney sweetens its offer. The resort has repeatedly said it will not add any more money to its proposal: a 42-month contract that would give $550 bonuses to all full-time employees and, for those not already at the top of their pay scales, raises of at least 3 percent in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
"Why would we vote on an offer that is less than what we already rejected?" said Eric Clinton, president of Unite Here! Local 362, pointing out that Disney has withdrawn a $100 bonus for each full-time worker that it had promised had the contract been ratified on the first vote. "The workers already spoke. Democracy's already happened."
Frustrations are rising with no end in sight to the contract talks, which began in June but have now been stalled for two months. Meetings last week with a federal mediator proved fruitless.
Raynor, whose individual union, Workers United, SEIU Local 737, represents housekeepers, waiters, cooks and others at Disney, called the proposal on the table a fair offer. In addition to the guaranteed raises — at a time when the region's unemployment rate is above 11 percent — he said it includes scores of subtler benefits, from higher disability pay to a requirement that Disney provide slip-resistant shoes to employees who are required to wear them for their jobs, rather than forcing the workers to buy them.
He also noted that union negotiators successfully defeated unpopular proposals from Disney, such as eliminating pensions for new hires and replacing them with 401(k) investment accounts.
"I think that when you consider the full details of this contract — and when it's properly explained to people — I find that a number say this is a good contract and one they could support," Raynor said.
Transportation Communications International Union Local 1908, whose members range from monorail drivers to lifeguards, and International Association of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 631, which represents stage hands, also say they want to hold a second vote.
"I've been doing this too long to jeopardize the livelihoods of people over somebody just wanting to get a pound of flesh out of the company," said Joe Condo of TCU Local 1908. Condo added that many workers automatically opposed the contract in October simply because they have historically voted against Disney's first offer.
Critics, however, have multiple complaints. Among them: The raises in the contract do not adequately offset rising health-insurance premiums. Over the course of the contract, employees enrolled in Disney's HMO plan would absorb increases ultimately ranging from $12 a week for employee-only coverage to $38 a week for family coverage.
Opponents also say the proposed contract is unfair to some workers because those in certain job classifications would get smaller raises than others. And they say it does not do enough for long-time workers at the top of their pay scales, who would get raises of less than 3 percent a year.
"I'm strongly opposed to voting it again," said Mike Stapleton, president of Teamsters Local 385, whose members range from bus drivers to costumed characters. "It's a democratic process, but you don't just keep voting and trying to get people to change their minds by wearing them out."
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1625, which represents merchandise and banquet workers and florists, is also opposed to another vote, as is Unite Here!, whose members include attraction workers, ticket takers and custodians.
The divisions extend into even seemingly more benign questions. Leaders with Unite Here! and the Teamsters, for example, voted this week against extending the council's current contract with Disney, though the other four unions agreed to continue it from Dec. 11 until Jan. 20. Letting the contract lapse would have freed the unions to engage in tougher tactics, such as striking or handing out leaflets to Disney World visitors, though it would also allow Disney to cease collecting union dues from workers, among other measures.
Disney, for its part, said that it has made a fair offer.
"We had hoped that the contract would be ratified by now, so that cast members could receive their bonuses before the end of the year," said Steve Eisenhardt, vice president of labor relations for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "It's a good offer, guaranteeing competitive pay raises each of the next three years and a choice of affordable, high-quality health-care plans."
If the six unions remain deadlocked, the three that want to hold a second contract vote could force one because they represent more members — Workers United alone represents approximately 40 percent of the council's eligible voters. But Raynor said he would prefer to avoid that approach.

 

[Wilt Dasney]

What happened to the federal mediator mentioned in the first story?

Also, do all fulltime Disney workers have guaranteed pensions? That in itself is unusual and quite a perk in this day.

 

[Alektronic]

What happened to the federal mediator mentioned in the first story?

Also, do all fulltime Disney workers have guaranteed pensions? That in itself is unusual and quite a perk in this day.

From the article:
" Frustrations are rising with no end in sight to the contract talks, which began in June but have now been stalled for two months. Meetings last week with a federal mediator proved fruitless."

I'm not sure with the Service Trades Council, but with others, you need to contribute for 5 years to be fully vested.

But if you go to the Service Trade Council website and click on Full Time Contract. You can find out all about Pay Rates, Benefits, Vacations, Pensions, etc.

http://servicetradescouncil.org/stc2005/main/index.html

 

[s8film40]

I kind of wonder if Disney planned it this way, to create a contract that puts the unions at odds so the focus of this would shift a little from union vs. company to union vs. union. Could be an attempt to start the process of breaking up the unions.

 

[flavious27]

I kind of wonder if Disney planned it this way, to create a contract that puts the unions at odds so the focus of this would shift a little from union vs. company to union vs. union. Could be an attempt to start the process of breaking up the unions.

There are alot of corporations and cities with multiple unions that will do what they can to reduce the amount of union leadership they have to deal with.

 

[Wilt Dasney]

Any speculation on a strike date?

"Leaders with Unite Here! and the Teamsters, for example, voted this week against extending the council's current contract with Disney, though the other four unions agreed to continue it from Dec. 11 until Jan. 20. Letting the contract lapse would have freed the unions to engage in tougher tactics, such as striking or handing out leaflets to Disney World visitors, though it would also allow Disney to cease collecting union dues from workers, among other measures."

Sounds like the earliest a strike could take place is Jan. 20.

 

[Captain Hank]

Any speculation on a strike date?

I really, truly hope it doesn't come to that.

 

[GymLeaderPhil]

Oh.

No.

A strike occurring in the slowest period of the year for the parks. They'll never have enough staffing to cover a typical 9am-8pm day at the Magic Kingdom in January! Oh the humanity. Might as well cancel your vacation, because Walt Disney World will be closed when you get there.

 

[JimboJones123]

Oh.

No.

A strike occurring in the slowest period of the year for the parks. They'll never have enough staffing to cover a typical 9am-8pm day at the Magic Kingdom in January! Oh the humanity. Might as well cancel your vacation, because Walt Disney World will be closed when you get there.

How will the union ever be able to supplement those huge CM hourly wages while they are out of work....

 

[flavious27]

"Leaders with Unite Here! and the Teamsters, for example, voted this week against extending the council's current contract with Disney, though the other four unions agreed to continue it from Dec. 11 until Jan. 20. Letting the contract lapse would have freed the unions to engage in tougher tactics, such as striking or handing out leaflets to Disney World visitors, though it would also allow Disney to cease collecting union dues from workers, among other measures."

Sounds like the earliest a strike could take place is Jan. 20.

And non union workers will start. Service unions striking have no leverage anymore because customers will be fine with a switch over to non-unions workers because they can't inconvenience them.

 

[TP2000]

Sounds like the earliest a strike could take place is Jan. 20.

There's absolutely no chance a Cast Member strike will ever take place. These CM's are so destitute, if the YouTube videos are to be believed, that they get their food from church charities and visit "Amscot" once per week for a payday advance.

There is no way these CM's will be able to give up even a couple days pay while they are on strike. But strike for a week or two or four or six? And give up all their paychecks and get themselves kicked out of apartments and have their cars reposessed? Never.

WDW Cast Members are in absolutely no position, either financially or emotionally, to be able to go on strike for more than one day. WDW management knows that, and the senior union leadership also knows that.

 

[Wilt Dasney]

There's absolutely no chance a Cast Member strike will ever take place.

I agree with you. Aside from the issue of missing pay, WDW Cast Members are not required to join their unions. Florida's status as a "right-to-work" state undermines the solidarity unions would need during a strike.

 

[scottnj1966]

Prices will go up once again because of these types of issues.
I work for a local government and we have not seen a raise for three years and then on top of that insurance costs increases.
I am sure many people all over the country have not seen raises, layoffs is what people are seeing.
I would let most of the people go and hire replacements. Right now people need jobs. They would be so happy to take what people think they dont want.
Everyone want's more money, but the only way to do that is go to school and move up the ladder. Disney pay's more for unskilled labor then any other place I know. They also have a great benifits package compared to just about anyone else too.

I just dont understand.

 

[Monty]

Prices will go up once again because of these types of issues.
I work for a local government and we have not seen a raise for three years and then on top of that insurance costs increases.
I am sure many people all over the country have not seen raises, layoffs is what people are seeing.
I would let most of the people go and hire replacements. Right now people need jobs. They would be so happy to take what people think they dont want.
Everyone want's more money, but the only way to do that is go to school and move up the ladder. Disney pay's more for unskilled labor then any other place I know. They also have a great benifits package compared to just about anyone else too.

I just dont understand.

As I understand the issues, the employees want raises that are enough to at least cover the increases being imposed for health insurance premiums. Roughly translated, they're trying to not get a decrease in income.

Disney is taking advantage of the economic downturn that hasn't impacted them anywhere near other industries' difficulties to treat their staff badly.

And my understanding of salaries at Disney is far different from yours, they pay meagre wages to front line CMs.

 

[mkt]

If they went on strike, I can guarantee you that there would be various full page ads in the Orlando Sentinel stating: "Disney is hiring! Start today!" They know that Central Florida's unemployment rate benefits them, and they are going to take advantage of it.

Disney has a pretty public face, but they're a viper in the business world.

 

[MattyDrums]

I know it wouldn't put them out of business but there would be plenty of people, like myself who would not go on vacation to a place infested with scab workers.

 

[fosse76]

As I understand the issues, the employees want raises that are enough to at least cover the increases being imposed for health insurance premiums. Roughly translated, they're trying to not get a decrease in income.

Exactly.

Disney is taking advantage of the economic downturn that hasn't impacted them anywhere near other industries' difficulties to treat their staff badly.

My employer is exactly the same. Though we did get a small cost-of-living increase, they completely eliminated year-end bonuses...despite being one of the most profitable years in their history. Companies are using the economic downturn as an excuse.

And my understanding of salaries at Disney is far different from yours, they pay meagre wages to front line CMs.

That's what I hear as well. And that translates to ALL divisions...even on Broadway the actors get paid less than what they would get paid in other shows (they have a minimum they must be paid, but most other shows pay well beyond that).

 

[rangerbob]

They can't strike. Florida is a right to work state and if they do strike or walk out they can be fired. I'm sure Disney would excersice their rights and will do that to the employees that don't show up to their scheduled shift especially if they are seen across the street on the picketline near Hotel Plaza Blvd.