Patina Group restaurant workers from EPCOT Italy pavilion restaurants are voting to strike and have launched a website about Walt Disney World restaurant labor disputes.
Italy Pavilion Workers Voting on Strike
UNITE HERE Local 737 and the Patina Group employees announced the strike authorization vote during a press conference on Tuesday after Patina Group “failed to make adequate progress in contract negotiations.”
Patina Group, a subsidiary of Delaware North owns and operates several Walt Disney World restaurants at EPCOT and Disney Springs. In the Italy pavilion, they operate Tutto Italia Ristorante, Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar, and Via Napoli Ristorante E Pizzeria. The union contract for these venues expires on September 30.
The strike vote will authorize the bargaining committee to call a strike at any time after the contract expires.
If workers proceed with a strike, it will be the first time that employees have gone on strike inside the Walt Disney World theme parks.
The new website, DisneyWorldFoodAlert.org, provides an easy place for guests to check for labor disputes at Walt Disney World restaurants and check out restaurants with fair union contracts.
Employees of Patina Group across Walt Disney World unionized last year amid what they called “second-class working conditions.” They filed a formal complaint against the company this July.
Other Patina Group restaurants at Walt Disney World include Pizza Ponte, Morimoto Asia, The Edison, Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante, Enzo’s Hideaway, and Space 220.
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