It looks like a third of Walt Disney World’s workers will keep working as their Union has approved a new three-year contract. The agreement was reached in mid-June and includes an agreement to cooperate on scheduling plans, increases in pay (4 to 5% annually) and an enhanced pension plan. A previous plan, submitted in May, was rejected by the Union because of concerns with health care and raises.
Service Trades Council
The Service Trades Council represents about 21,000 employees of Walt Disney World. Members of the union include food service, lifeguards, vacation planners, merchandise personnel, janitors and stage technicians. According to Morty Miller, president of the Service Trades Council:
We’re looking forward to seeing to it that the improvements for our members that are included in this contract are fully enjoyed by our members, both in the economic areas and in scheduling.
Disney is pleased about the agreement as well. It acknowledges the value of the cast members and their contributions to success of Walt Disney World. The contract will activate retroactively to April 28th and will last until October 2, 2010.
A Great Place To Work
The resolution of the contract issues in favor of the cast members and employees is another sign of Disney’s dedication to their employees. Working at the ‘Happiest Place on Earth’ is often described as a dream job. Disney has a legacy to protect with its employees and workers dating back to the first Disney Studio strike in 1941 that came as a result of the huge success of Snow White & The Seven Dwarves.
Walt Disney had a nearly obsessive need to treat his employees as members of his very large and extended family. The company continues that legacy today with parks in multiple locations. It’s nice to know that the cast members are taken care of and when you visit Disney and they welcome you home, you know they mean it.
So congratulations to the Service Trades Council and to Disney – good job. Here’s to three more years.