Walt Disney World Cast members will soon be seeing an increase in pay, thanks to efforts put forth last week by the six unions collectively bargaining as the Services Trades Council Union (STCU).
More than 12,500 Cast Members voted in the poll with 97% voting to approve the measure. This number is nearly the same as the 96% who rejected the previous “last, best, and final” offer from Disney in February, which led to Cast Members rallying near the Magic Kingdom.
STCU President Matt Hollis said in the Facebook Live video “Today, Disney workers voted yes to a living wage now. Disney workers voted for record wage increases. Disney workers voted yes to a safer and more diverse workplace. And Disney workers voted yes to paid child bonding.”
Hollis informed the company of the approval and asked them to begin processing back paychecks immediately.
“It has been 542 days since Cast Members’ last raise,” said Hollis, “and it has been 217 long days since we began this round of bargaining. And today we are proud to close this chapter knowing that thousands of Cast Members will soon begin receiving their back pay and the hourly increases they need.”
Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle issued a statement with the union’s announcement:
Our Cast Members have always been at the heart of the Walt Disney World experience, and we are thrilled that, with the support of the union, they have overwhelmingly approved this new five-year agreement that significantly increases wages, alongside our leading benefits program that includes affordable medical coverage and more. Frontline Cast Members also have access to 100 percent paid tuition for higher education through the Disney Aspire program.
– Jeff Vahle
Cast Members will be receiving a minimum wage of $17/hour now, with $18/hour by December. Back pay of $1 extra per hour since October 1, 2022, will also apply to Cast Members hired on or before that date.
All Cast Members will also receive a minimum of a $5.50 raise over the next five years under this new agreement, with the first $3 coming by December 2023. These new minimum wages will also apply to all new Cast Members. By October 2026, the minimum rate will increase to $20.50 per hour for current workers, and $20 per hour for all workers hired after December 3, 2023.
Additional raises will also come to several classifications of unionized Cast Members:
- Housekeepers: $17 to $20 immediately, $24 by October 2026
- Dishwashers: $15 to $18 immediately, $22 by October 2026
- Cook 2 (Prep cooks): $16.40 to $20 immediately, $24 by October 2026
- Cook 1 (Line cooks): $19 to $23.10 immediately, $27.10 by October 2026
- Chef Assistant: $20 to $24.60 immediately, $28.60 by October 2026
- Bus Drivers: $18 to $20.50 immediately, $24.50 by October 2026
The agreement also contains a new provision for eight weeks of paid Child Bonding Leave, which allows a parent to take time off to bond with their newborn child within its first year. Other hourly premiums will also increase with the contract.
Glad to see that Cast Members are receiving an increase in pay?