Disney World Union Contract Raises Minimum Wage to $18

thewrap.com:

The Associated Press. “The company finally heard voices of the cast members,” Matt Hollis, the president of the Service Trades Council Union, the collection of unions that are negotiating with Disney management, told CNN Business. “I can’t help but believe the overwhelming result of the previous vote played a role in reaching this agreement.

I think an overwhelming majority of cast members will see this as a win.”Disney also put a positive spin on the deal.“Our cast members are central to Walt Disney World’s enduring magic, which is why we are pleased to have reached this tentative agreement,” Jeff Vahle, president of Walt Disney World Resort, said in a statement, pointing to Disney’s “industry-leading employment package,” which includes perks like tuition payments for higher education for hourly employees. “With the support of the unions, we anticipate cast members will approve this new agreement.,” Vahle said.The deal is seen as one that could set a floor for starting pay throughout central Florida’s tourism industry.

That includes other parks owned by major entertainment conglomerates, including Universal Orlando, which is owned by under Comcast’s NBCUniversal.Among those responding to news of the deal online was Abigail Disney, granddaughter of Roy O.

Disney and grandniece of Walt, who has repeatedly criticized the family company for its astronomical executive pay and the relative poverty of Disney cast members, including in her 2022 documentary, “The American Dream and Other Fairy Tales.” “I think I can be forgiven for a little victory dance,” she posted on Twitter Friday morning. “It’s not enough, the struggle continues and of course, this is the work of unions and workers who have chosen to stand strong, so if I.