OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Hundreds of Walt Disney World cast members rallied in Osceola County on Wednesday amid contract negotiations between the company and the unions.
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The week of negotiations covers salaries and benefits for 41,000 workers.
The agreement previously struck between the union and Disney expired in October but is being continued until a new one is made.
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Both sides are agreeing to raise salaries from a minimum of $15 per hour to $20 per hour, but the unions say they want it to happen in three years, while Disney wants five.
“How are we supposed to live off a dollar when you see the rates increase on everything — housing, rates increase on food, rates increase on our gas that we have to (use to) come to work every day,” cast member Boletha Jarrett said. “That’s not a fair offer.”
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In a statement to Channel 9, Disney said: “We have presented a strong and meaningful offer that far outpaces Florida minimum wage by at least $5 an hour and immediately takes starting wages for certain roles including bus drivers, housekeepers and culinary up to a minimum of $20 an hour while providing a path to $20 for all other full-time, non-tipped STCU roles during the contract term.”
Disney also said its offer would put 1 in 4 union workers above $20 an hour in the first year of the new contract.
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