Most Magical Place on Earth?

Not all is enchanted in “The Most Magical Place on Earth.” At Walt Disney World, the average worker, or “cast member,” earns $15.95 hourly. Those who work 40 hours weekly earn a little less than $600 weekly. This wage has not kept up with inflation’s pace.

The cost of living in Central Florida has increased dramatically in the last five years. In this community, housing expenses at 7% higher than the national average. The Orlando community’s cost of living expenses are also 3% higher than the national average. One Disney employee summed up life in Orlando succinctly: “It’s a tourist area. Everything’s expensive.” Many of the same employees who work in Walt Disney World’s restaurants, gift shops, hotels, and even those who do mascot costumes of beloved Disney characters at the theme park, are reduced to sleeping in their vehicles as they scrape to earn a living.

Next week, tens of thousands of Disney employees, all of whom are members of the Service Trades Council Union (“STCU”), will vote on a contract offer presented by the company.

Here are several key details of the propped Disney offer:

 The offer is for five years, starting retroactively from October 2022;

 The offer would raise salaries for “cast members” by a minimum of $1 an hour per year, taking most workers to at least $20 an hour by 2026;

 The offer provides for eight weeks of paid child-bonding for eligible employees;

 Housekeepers and bus drivers will earn at least $20 an hour immediately and culinary staff would start at $20 to $25 per hour, depending on their role; and

 The offer, which crests at $20 hourly by 2026, would be $5 an hour more than the Florida minimum wage of $15 hourly.

STCU has indicated that it will recommend union members vote “no” on this offer when they meet on Thursday and Friday. STCU demands wants an offer of at least $18 hourly for all employees. One STCU statement read, “Every worker needs an initial raise larger than $1 to address these concerns.”

Even if employees do reject this offer, it is it’s unlikely that they will strike, however. Instead, all parties anticipate another round of contract talks to begin after this initial vote.