Disney recently announced that the company would pay at least 125,000 employees a one-time cash bonus of $1,000, and that they would additionally invest $50 million into a new education program for their employees. This decision had mixed results among cast members at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
An article from the Orange County Register spotlighted some cast members, and showed how there was a fairly large divide among those receiving this bonus. Even those who are grateful for the bonus are worried that Disney might be using it as a bargaining chip in their ongoing wage negotiations.
Some took to Twitter to celebrate their bonus, while others used the social media platform to point out the discrepancy between what cast members were receiving and the profits Disney now will hold onto with the recent tax cuts by the Republican Party.
UNITE HERE Local 362 & Local 737, two of the Walt Disney World cast member unions, issued a joint statement on the bonus. They make it clear in their statement that this bonus should have no impact on the “ongoing wage negotiations and should be offered unconditionally and with no strings attached.” They also state that this bonus leaves $1,875,000,000 of the $2 billion in tax cuts “unshared with cast members,” essentially calling out the company to say that this one-time bonus is not enough.
Some Disneyland cast members on Twitter celebrated their bonus. One claims she plans on visiting Hawaii with the money. Another cast member stated if people want to complain about the bonus that she’ll gladly take their share.
apparently I’m getting a $1000 bonus from Disney so all im asking is who’s going to Hawaii with me????
— Cecilia (@salcidocees) January 24, 2018
Disney is giving their CMs a 1,000 dollar bonus this year, and people are complaining that it’s only because Universal did it. Regardless, you’re getting your money. If you don’t want to take it, I gladly will. ♀️
— victoria. (@floridanerdxo) January 23, 2018
Credit: Orange County Register
