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http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2010/10/disney-unions-split-before-contract-vote/
JASON GARCIA, NEWS — BY STAFF ON OCTOBER 4, 2010 AT 11:38 PM
Three of the six unions that make up Disney’s Service Trades Council — which represents approximately 20,000 full-time workers at the resort — are urging their members to reject the proposed contract in an election tentatively set for Oct. 14.
Two of the council’s other unions have yet to take a position on the contract. And the sixth group is recommending a yes vote.
The split centers in large part on how Disney would distribute raises during the course of the 42-month contract.
Under the proposal, all full-time employees would get a $550 bonus this year and, provided they are not already at the top of their individual pay scale, at least 3 percent raises in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
But employees in select positions would receive larger raises — as much as 4 percent a year. For example, while merchandise workers would get 3 percent increases all three years, monorail employees would get 3.25 percent in 2011, 3.75 percent in 2012 and 4 percent in 2013.
Critics say the proposal is unfair, in part because some of the smallest raises are in less-specialized job classifications where workers already earn less money.
“The people who make the least are those who can least afford to get the smallest percentage increase,” said Julee Jerkovich, secretary-treasurer for United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1625, which represents merchandise employees as well as banquet workers and florists. “We believe that Disney can give raises, and they can give an equal percentage raise.”
Steve Eisenhardt, vice president of labor relations for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said each raise is based on a variety of factors unique to each job classification, such as how difficult a position is to fill.
“We evaluate them based on the skills necessary, the market competitiveness, … and we come to a conclusion as to what those increases can be,” Eisenhardt said.
Others say the overall size of the raises are inadequate for a company like Disney, whose theme-park division earned $1.4 billion last year, though that operating profit was down 25 percent from the year before. Many workers, they say, would see their raises largely wiped out by increases in health-insurance premiums.
“OK, these are tough economic times. But not for Disney,” said Donna-Lynne Dalton, a business agent for Teamsters Local 385, which represents bus drivers, characters and others. “It’s tougher than it has been, I’ll give you that. But they’re still doing very well.”
Disney’s Eisenhardt said the raises on the table “are very fair, very competitive in this environment.”
Union leaders say they are pleased with some provisions of the contract. During the two sides’ final bargaining session on Friday, for instance, Disney dropped a proposal to eliminate pensions for new hires and instead institute 401(k) retirement-investment accounts.
Disney is also dangling an extra sweetener in hopes of winning quick approval from workers: a $100 bonus for each employee should the contract be approved on the first vote.
Jason Garcia can be reached at jrgarcia@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5414.
JASON GARCIA, NEWS — BY STAFF ON OCTOBER 4, 2010 AT 11:38 PM
Three of the six unions that make up Disney’s Service Trades Council — which represents approximately 20,000 full-time workers at the resort — are urging their members to reject the proposed contract in an election tentatively set for Oct. 14.
Two of the council’s other unions have yet to take a position on the contract. And the sixth group is recommending a yes vote.
The split centers in large part on how Disney would distribute raises during the course of the 42-month contract.
Under the proposal, all full-time employees would get a $550 bonus this year and, provided they are not already at the top of their individual pay scale, at least 3 percent raises in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
But employees in select positions would receive larger raises — as much as 4 percent a year. For example, while merchandise workers would get 3 percent increases all three years, monorail employees would get 3.25 percent in 2011, 3.75 percent in 2012 and 4 percent in 2013.
Critics say the proposal is unfair, in part because some of the smallest raises are in less-specialized job classifications where workers already earn less money.
“The people who make the least are those who can least afford to get the smallest percentage increase,” said Julee Jerkovich, secretary-treasurer for United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1625, which represents merchandise employees as well as banquet workers and florists. “We believe that Disney can give raises, and they can give an equal percentage raise.”
Steve Eisenhardt, vice president of labor relations for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said each raise is based on a variety of factors unique to each job classification, such as how difficult a position is to fill.
“We evaluate them based on the skills necessary, the market competitiveness, … and we come to a conclusion as to what those increases can be,” Eisenhardt said.
Others say the overall size of the raises are inadequate for a company like Disney, whose theme-park division earned $1.4 billion last year, though that operating profit was down 25 percent from the year before. Many workers, they say, would see their raises largely wiped out by increases in health-insurance premiums.
“OK, these are tough economic times. But not for Disney,” said Donna-Lynne Dalton, a business agent for Teamsters Local 385, which represents bus drivers, characters and others. “It’s tougher than it has been, I’ll give you that. But they’re still doing very well.”
Disney’s Eisenhardt said the raises on the table “are very fair, very competitive in this environment.”
Union leaders say they are pleased with some provisions of the contract. During the two sides’ final bargaining session on Friday, for instance, Disney dropped a proposal to eliminate pensions for new hires and instead institute 401(k) retirement-investment accounts.
Disney is also dangling an extra sweetener in hopes of winning quick approval from workers: a $100 bonus for each employee should the contract be approved on the first vote.
Jason Garcia can be reached at jrgarcia@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5414.
