Following today’s news that Walt Disney World Cast Members won negotiations for a wage increase, Walt Disney World Resort President Jeff Vahle has released a statement.
Vahle made the following statement: “Our Cast Members are central to Walt Disney World’s enduring magic, which is why we are pleased to have reached this tentative agreement. Disney is proud to offer an industry-leading employment package that includes comprehensive benefits and affordable medical coverage, in addition to 100 percent paid tuition for higher education for hourly employees through the Disney Aspire program. With the support of the unions, we anticipate Cast Members will approve this new agreement.”
If this new agreement is confirmed, Cast Members will be receiving a minimum wage of $17/hour now, with $18/hour by December if the contract is ratified and back pay to be included. 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.
Voting will take place on March 29 to ratify the new contract.
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