Disney Union Members Reject Latest Offer

[Feralpeg]

The union just rejected Disney's latest offer. Disney states that it will not offer any more. The union is talking about a strike. They will probably bring in federal mediators.

 

[miste76]

I don't know why I thought they had already agreed on a new contract. For some reason, I was under the impression that the strike was avoided... I guess I was confused again!!!
I hope the strike (if there is one) won't cause any problems during the busy thanksgiving week that is only a few more days away.

 

[angel's momma]

miste76, if they strike, it can't happen until Dec.

 

[lorileer]

When in December?

 

[erinz]

OMG!!! Can you imagine? What would happed if the Disney employees actually went on strike? Would they just close the parks down?

There's no way they would do that.

 

[angel's momma]

Originally posted by lorileer
When in December?

I've read posts that say the second week of Dec.

However, there's a post on the Rumors & News board that says a strike could happen anytime after NOV. 17.

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by erinz
OMG!!! Can you imagine? What would happed if the Disney employees actually went on strike? Would they just close the parks down?

Not all Disney CMs are in the union, and not all the union CMs would strike if a strike were called. Even if everyone who was eligible to strike did, the parks would not close down. There would be some pretty involved manpower planning (which I'm sure is already taking place) and pretty much every manager and office CM would be out in the parks working. Part timers and seasonal CMs (who are non-union) would be doing full 40-hour weeks, and college program kids (also non-union) would be getting some overtime too. The normal, everyday guest might not even notice much of a difference, although the CMs doing the work would feel the difference!

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by angel's momma
However, there's a post on the Rumors & News board that says a strike could happen anytime after NOV. 17.

By law, the unions cannot strike as long as there is a contract in place. November 17 is the "magic date" right now because that's how long the current contract has been extended. If a mediator is brought in or other positive steps are being taken, there's no reason to think that the contract won't continue to be extended until an agreement is reached. The unions have said they do not want to strike and are looking at that option as an absolute last resort.

 

[spiceycat]

I don't know about not feeling a difference.

a Cm who is a manager vs one who has been running the rides for the past year - might have alot more trouble when problems come up.

with thanksgiving week being as crowded as it seems like it will be - there will be problems!!!!

 

[Ted and Holly]

The term "manager" at Disney is not the typical corporate "manager" that I think of.

I know several people in management positions at WDW. They are in attractions and merchandise. They are just as capable, if not more so, of doing the job of those they supervise.

Ted

 

[kupperman]

Oh no! I also thought that the issue was resolved as well. Now I'm getting worried..

 

[tjkraz]

Nothing at all to worry about.

Only 40% of the WDW workforce is represented by the unions. Of those, many may choose to cross picket lines if a strike were called--43% of the union workforce voted IN FAVOR of accepting the new contract.

You've also got a significant portion of the 50,000+ workers at WDW who are currently part time. Their hours could easily be increased if necessary.

Also, with Florida being a Right to Work state, there is no mandate that eligible employees join the union. This makes it fairly easy for Disney to hire temporary (or permanent) replacements for striking workers.

And, as long as a Federal Mediator is working productively with both parties, no strike will be called.

Right now there's a lot of chest-thumping going on by the unions involved. There are multiple unions simultaneously involved in the negotiations with Disney management. When the tentative agreement was reached last week, reports indicated that a couple of the unions were not represented at talks. Even if the deal was fair, the unions feeling snubbed certainly got their membership riled up and recommened they vote against the contract.

The first two proposals were declined by the following margins:

4155-15 against
3659-96 against

This last vote was 3686 - 2827 against.

Sounds to me like they are making progress. Hurt feelings and bruised egos are going to prolong the process. Eventually they will reach an agreement.

In the meantime, life will continue at Walt Disney World.