Disney unions accept contract

[crazy4wdw]

Disney unions accept contract

Scott Powers and Willoughby Mariano | Sentinel Staff Writers
Posted June 7, 2007

Unions representing about one-third of Walt Disney World's work force approved a three-year contract late Wednesday.

The vote was the second in a month for members of the Service Trades Council, a group of six unions that represents 21,000 full-time workers. It passed 3,056 to 2,676.

On May 18, workers rejected an identical proposed contract by about 2 percentage points, and the two sides extended their 2004 contract through June 20 as negotiations continued.

This time around, voters were more accepting of the contract's provisions, Service Trades Council President Morty Miller said.

"We're looking forward to working under the contract's terms," Miller said.

The results satisfied Disney officials, spokeswoman Kim Prunty said. "We are pleased with how the negotiations process went, and we're pleased with the outcome of the vote."

The contract is effective through Oct. 2, 2010.

The Teamsters Local 385, representing bus drivers, parking-lot attendants, costumed characters and a few others -- about 2,000 Disney employees -- spearheaded opposition to the pact, while leadership of the other five unions endorsed it.

Anxiety over a possible strike may have made workers willing to approve the same contract they rejected a few weeks ago, said Mike Stapleton, president of the Teamsters local. Still, the large number of votes against the contract shows many workers remain unhappy.

"I think a substantial number of Disney workers are disappointed," Stapleton said.

The unions supporting the pact were UNITE HERE 362; UNITE HERE 737; United Food and Commercial Workers; Transportation Communications International Union; and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts, Local 631, which represent employees as varied as vacation planners, food servers and lifeguards.

Key sticking points included wage scales and medical-plan costs. Many opponents, particularly workers at the higher pay grades, complained that the wage increases in the proposal can vanish after health-care costs are factored in.

Proponents said the overall pay increase, which averages about 4 percent, is a significant boost. They also said the proposed contract adequately controls rising health-care costs for those who need help the most -- single parents and families.

On Wednesday, Teamsters clashed with Disney World officials after they were told they set up their voting station in the wrong location and were asked to move. A Teamsters official said they were in the right place and said that Disney officials were trying to isolate Teamsters from members of other unions.

"They're just being difficult," said Donna-Lynn Dalton, recording secretary and business agent for Teamsters Local 385, as voting took place.

It was a miscommunication, and Teamsters were allowed to stay where they wished, Disney spokeswoman Jacquee Polak said.

Willoughby Mariano can be reached at wmariano@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5171. Scott Powers can be reached at spowers@orlandosentinel.com or 407-4

 

[mwehttam]

Good to see that is was passed.

The vote was the second in a month for members of the Service Trades Council, a group of six unions that represents 21,000 full-time workers. It passed 3,056 to 2,676.

Interesting that less then 1/3 of the membership voted. Apparently not many cared one way or the other what would happen.

-Matt

 

[NUHuskies#1]

Good to see as we are arriving on June 20th!

 

[OrlandoMike]

Interesting that less then 1/3 of the membership voted. Apparently not many cared one way or the other what would happen.

-Matt

The unions represent every CM, but not every CM belongs to the union. Only members are allowed to vote.

 

[mwehttam]

The unions represent every CM, but not every CM belongs to the union. Only members are allowed to vote.

Well that is just moronic. You represent me but I can't vote on what you do. Just one more check mark in the column of "Unions have no reason to exist in the 21st Century."

-Matt

 

[OrlandoMike]

If you want to vote join the union.


Kind of like living in the USA. If you dont like the rules register and vote!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Not only is it Union Members only who are able to vote, but it is Union Members who are full time. I have been a CR for almost two years and have been a union member and gotten mailings from the union, but have never been given any opportunity to vote.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Not only is it Union Members only who are able to vote, but it is Union Members who are full time. I have been a CR for almost two years and have been a union member and gotten mailings from the union, but have never been given any opportunity to vote.

Hmm. That's interesting. Do you feel like it is worth it to pay union dues if you don't get anything in return?

I will say if I was full-time and depended on those health benefits and so forth I wouldn't want part timers voting on the proposals. No offense. I just wouldn't want votes being cast by folks who weren't entitled to the benefits being voted on. Unless you actually have the insurance and understand the costs I don't think you should vote to approve or disapprove of changes to cost of coverage.

DH used to have HMO coverage that we loved, but the premiums were really expensive. Now we have PPO coverage (different employer) that is pretty cheap for premiums but costs us a boatload of money out of pocket. DH is not affiliated with a union - the corporations make the decisions without any employee input, but if there was a union I wouldn't expect them to allow part time employees to vote as they wouldn't have the same understanding of the costs as a full time employee would. It would be hard for a part time employee to understand the impact of the changes on a full timer.