Disney union workers are planning to hold a “Rally for a Raise” today at 5 p.m. in front of the Crossroads entrance at State Road 535 and Hotel Plaza Boulevard. The rally will attempt to demonstrate to Disney the union’s proposal and continue negotiations for a living wage.
The event is being held by the Disney cast member union Unite Here Local 362. This union has combined their efforts with five other local unions as part of the joint Service Trades Council Union, which represents 38,000 cast members. This overlapping union will try to negotiate a wage increase from $11.50 to $15.00 per hour.
Disney has stated that they will offer a “fair and equitable” wage, but will keep the minimum wage for new workers at $10.00 per hour. The company also proposed a 2.5% salary increase for cast members. However, these do not meet the union workers’ demands. The gap between the two sides’ expectations had cause Disney to seek an outside federal mediator.
The last time unions negotiated with Disney, the theme park raised the starting pay from $8.03 to $10.00 per hour. The STCU hopes today’s rally will lead to a similar result.
Source: Orlando Weekly
Image: Rally for a Raise
