25,000 WDW Unionized Hourly Workers Will Get Raises This Week

[WDWKOOK]

Raises for Walt Disney World workers could pump more money into the Orlando-area economy.


By Jason Garcia and Sara K. Clarke
Sentinel Staff Writers
October 5, 2009


Despite the still-struggling economy, about 25,000 unionized hourly workers at Walt Disney World are getting raises this week.

The raises, which will range from 4 percent to 5 percent for most workers, are part of a three-year contract that the resort and Service Trades Council Union negotiated in April 2007. Another 4,000 tipped employees will get raises at the end of the year.

The trade council — an umbrella group representing half a dozen smaller unions whose members include costumed characters, hotel maids, stagehands, monorail drivers and many more — estimates that the raises will add between $15 million and $20 million dollars of purchasing power to the local economy.

That contract expires a year from now.

Look for a new round of negotiations between Central Florida's largest employer and the trade council to begin early next year.

 

[KYMickey]

That's probably one of the reasons the cost of parking went up. Considering the state of the economy those are awful good raises. I'll bet the negotiations next year will be very tough because Disney had to give out such big raises during these hard economic times. Hopefully, the unions are realize that and not demand unrealistic concessions.

 

[bgohre]

Hopefully, the unions are realize that and not demand unrealistic concessions.

Thats funny.

 

[DVC_Chris]

Considering the fact that the average worker at WDW makes less than his or her counterpart at Universal, I am happy for them.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Let's see.

The Federal (and Florida) minimum wage is currently $7.25 per hour. So new hires have to get at least that amount.

Admittedly I am part time, but two months ago I completed four years of employment at WDW. I'm not sure exactly what my new pay rate will be, but I know this increase will put me up to where I will now be getting about $8.30 per hour.

That is less than 15% more than a new hire with zero experience.

 

[bgohre]

Man that stinks!

Seriously, if that's all they are paying you guys why am I paying so much for fountain pop?

 

[patsal]

Man that stinks!

Seriously, if that's all they are paying you guys why am I paying so much for fountain pop?

Shareholders want their return. Just because you pay high prices for something doesn't mean it equates to wages or benefits for the common worker, usually it has to do with profits and pay at the higher levels.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

The wage increase negotiated is over the length of the contract (3 years) not 5% in one year alone.

And as distressing as it sounds.....Disney actually pays NOTHING for Coke products. It's negotiated as "advertising" for Coke. That's why we carry Coke cups everywhere around the parks vs. WDW cups.

The reason Disney increased parking is simply.......because they can. Until it affects attendance, they will continue quietly raise the prices of everything they can --- little bits at a time hoping we will not notice.

As I have been reminded before here.....it's Disney's responsibility to make $$$. They do it well.

 

[KYMickey]

Admittedly I am part time, but two months ago I completed four years of employment at WDW. I'm not sure exactly what my new pay rate will be, but I know this increase will put me up to where I will now be getting about $8.30 per hour.

That is less than 15% more than a new hire with zero experience.

Just wondering, what is your job at Disney World? It may help us realize how valuable you are and what your job would be worth elsewhere.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Typhoon Lagoon Guest Services & Ticket Sales & Turnstiles.

Of course, before I retired my salary, based on a 40 hour week six years ago, was $52.30 per hour. And with several sources of retirement income my Disney income is about 5% of my total income.

But there are people who do work full-time at this rate (plus overtime when possible) as it is their only source of income. This is why I work only a maximum of two days a week, and my supervisors all know that if they are overstaffed I am willing to be released early so someone who really needs the hours can get them.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

But there are people who do work full-time at this rate (plus overtime when possible) as it is their only source of income.

1) Per the union contract, some sample min-max old / min-max new job pay.
. . . $10.25-$15.24 / $10.55-15.70 - for Bus Drivers
. . . $8.75-$12.93 / $9.00-$13.38 - for character performers
. . . $8.00-$12.47 / $8.25-$12/92 - for maids (plus some very nice pay incentives)
. . . $7.80-$12.74 / $7.90-$13.19 - for Monorail Driver 1
. . . $7.35-$12.12 / $7.45-$12.57 - for Resort Front Desk
2) In some cases, both husband and wife work at Disney.
3) In MANY cases, hus/wife/kids get food stamps and subsidized housing.

NOTE: The pay is low, but health insurance and other benefits are very good.

 

[WDWKOOK]

The wage increase negotiated is over the length of the contract (3 years) not 5% in one year alone.

And as distressing as it sounds.....Disney actually pays NOTHING for Coke products. It's negotiated as "advertising" for Coke. That's why we carry Coke cups everywhere around the parks vs. WDW cups.

The reason Disney increased parking is simply.......because they can. Until it affects attendance, they will continue quietly raise the prices of everything they can --- little bits at a time hoping we will not notice.

As I have been reminded before here.....it's Disney's responsibility to make $$$. They do it well.

100% profit - you gotta love Disney

 

[KYMickey]

1) Per the union contract, some sample min-max old / min-max new job pay.
. . . $10.25-$15.24 / $10.55-15.70 - for Bus Drivers
. . . $8.75-$12.93 / $9.00-$13.38 - for character performers
. . . $8.00-$12.47 / $8.25-$12/92 - for maids (plus some very nice pay incentives)
. . . $7.80-$12.74 / $7.90-$13.19 - for Monorail Driver 1
. . . $7.35-$12.12 / $7.45-$12.57 - for Resort Front Desk

It's interesting that bus drivers are the highest paid of any one. I guess being part of the rumor mill has its benefits. I'm also surprised to see that front desk personnel are on the lowest end of the scale since they have the most direct interaction with visitors. In most parts of the resort industry maids are the lowest since they have the least direct interaction with visitors.

NOTE: The pay is low, but health insurance and other benefits are very good.

How many hours per week does an employee have to work to be eligible for Health Insurance and other benefits? I'm assuming this is one of the reasons many retired people want to work for Disney?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

How many hours per week does an employee have to work to be eligible for Health Insurance and other benefits? I'm assuming this is one of the reasons many retired people want to work for Disney?

1) Full-Time is 30-hrs per week.
2) Part-Time is less, but their insurance has minimal coverage.

NOTE: Full-Time also means that you can be forced to work up to 14-hrs per day and 7-days per week, without complaint or recourse. They can also tell you 7-hrs into your shift that you are working 14-hrs.

 

[Joeguitar]

1) Full-Time is 30-hrs per week.
2) Part-Time is less, but their insurance has minimal coverage.

NOTE: Full-Time also means that you can be forced to work up to 14-hrs per day and 7-days per week, without complaint or recourse. They can also tell you 7-hrs into your shift that you are working 14-hrs.

So basically the union doesn't have THAT much pull then?? Is that because of the college program?

 

[OrlandoMike]

So basically the union doesn't have THAT much pull then?? Is that because of the college program?

Florida is a right to work state, basically Unions are useless.

 

[maddmike]

1) Per the union contract, some sample min-max old / min-max new job pay.
. . . $10.25-$15.24 / $10.55-15.70 - for Bus Drivers
. . . $8.75-$12.93 / $9.00-$13.38 - for character performers
. . . $8.00-$12.47 / $8.25-$12/92 - for maids (plus some very nice pay incentives)
. . . $7.80-$12.74 / $7.90-$13.19 - for Monorail Driver 1
. . . $7.35-$12.12 / $7.45-$12.57 - for Resort Front Desk
2) In some cases, both husband and wife work at Disney.
3) In MANY cases, hus/wife/kids get food stamps and subsidized housing.

NOTE: The pay is low, but health insurance and other benefits are very good.

Wow, those wages are very low especially for someone trying to make a living and support a family. A single person would have trouble on those wages. I wonder how many people are on the top end of their scale. CF said she worked there for four years and is in the lower half. After four years it would seem like they would be at the top end or very close.

 

[cruisedad]

Does anyone know if Security got a raise too?

 

[OrlandoMike]

Does anyone know if Security got a raise too?

Security is not covered by this particular group of Unions.....they are in a different Union, with a different contract.

 

[ConcKahuna]

Wow, those wages are very low especially for someone trying to make a living and support a family. A single person would have trouble on those wages. I wonder how many people are on the top end of their scale. CF said she worked there for four years and is in the lower half. After four years it would seem like they would be at the top end or very close.

It varies based on what department, but I know in most of them you have to have at LEAST 11 years with the company to make the top pay.