Some Minnie Van operators who drive guests visiting the Walt Disney World around the property are looking to stop the process of joining a local Teamsters Union.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, approximately six people filed a statement with the National Labor Relations Board last month stating that they “never sought union representation and are happy with their working conditions.” These drivers are represented by the Virginia-based anti-union group, National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation.
The local Teamsters union reportedly requested the Minnie Van drivers to be included in their bargaining units along with the already represented bus drivers and costumed characters. Back in May, a regional director of the labor board ruled in their favor. The Orlando Sentinel reports that Disney appealed that decision and asked the board to suspend their efforts until a final ruling was made on the matter.
The drivers who objected to joining the union also “asked to join the labor dispute between the Teamsters and Disney, siding with Disney. They said they feared they would be forced into the Teamsters pension plan, lose seniority and lose income.” Teamsters representatives responded by stating that “the drivers’ request to join the case was made too late in the process and that their interests are no different than those of the company.”
Minnie Van driver Mary Hogan said in a statement,
I have never asked Teamsters or any other union to represent me in my job at Disney, nor has Teamsters asked me my views on whether I wanted to be subject to representation.
Source: Orlando Sentinel
