Disney Unions Snub Deal

[TheRustyScupper]

Disney labor group snubs deal

Unions representing 21,000 workers decide company 'can do better' with a contract

Willoughby Mariano | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted May 19, 2007


Members of Walt Disney World's largest labor group narrowly rejected a tentative labor contract early today.

More than 52 percent of Service Trades Council voters rejected the proposed three-year agreement, which would have included pay raises of 4 percent for many workers and health-care options for the group's roughly 21,000 members. The vote was 2,870-2,583.

"We are determined to continue to work to achieve a new contract," said Morty Miller, president of the Service Trades Council.

Disney representatives said they were disappointed in the vote and that they expect to meet with union representatives soon. No date has been set.

"It's a highly competitive package," spokeswoman Jacquee Polak said.

The vote came after some rancor.

Leadership of Teamsters Local 385, one of six unions in the Service Trades Council, would not endorse the tentative contract to its 2,000 members, saying higher health-care costs negated any raises. Wage increases for workers at the top of their pay scale were also too low, they said.

"The vote speaks for itself," Teamsters Local 385 organizer Donna-Lynne Dalton said. "Disney can do better by its cast members."

Disney employees are working under their old contract, which expired April 28. It was extended as negotiations continued.

Before Friday's vote, Disney contracted with Mears Transportation to shuttle many union members to voting sites, sidestepping Disney-employed bus drivers who are represented by Teamsters.

Disney officials said they hired the shuttles because their regular bus drivers are too busy to handle the extra trips. Union organizers accuse them of trying to keep Teamsters bus drivers from influencing the vote.

Still, leadership of the five other unions in the council urged members to approve the new contract: UNITE HERE 362; UNITE HERE 737; United Food and Commercial Workers; Transportation Communications International Union; and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts, Local 631

[DizneyRox]

What's the inside word on possible walk offs, etc? I'm sure it's not a coincidence that the contract expires shortly before the summer busy season. That has the potential for some major leverage with the negotiations.

[mttafire]

Unions......Eh, Ill keep quiet.

[gueli]

Why the title of "Disney labor group snubs deal" ?
why couldn't they reject or turn down the offer?
Unions have a valid place in this country, I find the wording "pro-management".
The way 'snubbing' sounds there was an offer on the table that was too good, that the union bosses felt the offer was beneath them,etc.
Based on the vote (52 to 48 %) I would not consider it a snub, but that the contract was narrowly turned down.
I am not a member of a union. I am not a fan of management.
Not all union decisions are good, but not all management decisions are either.
Unfortuanatly, health care costs continue to rise way too much for everyone in this country. How it gets paid for...

None the less, I do hope a fair contract for one and all can be worked out.

[Scar]

...the group's roughly 21,000 members. The vote was 2,870-2,583.

Leadership of Teamsters Local 385, one of six unions in the Service Trades Council, would not endorse the tentative contract to its 2,000 members, ...

Still, leadership of the five other unions in the council urged members to approve the new contract: ...

Something is not adding up here. Smells a little fishy to me.

[TheRustyScupper]

Unions......Eh, Ill keep quiet.

1) Yep, I agree with the sentiment.
2) But, WDW employees are in a tough spot.
3) They do not have to join the union (most of the 21,000 do not belong).
4) But, they have to live under the work rules and pay.
5) Several WDW-mgmt say they are glad there is a union.
6) Life would be much tougher for WDW without a union.

NOTE: There is some displeasure and distrust on behalf of many CM's with the union and their negotiating skills. After all, a single union doesn't have enough members to defeat the contract. The last contract
. . . reduced many hourly pay rates
. . . eliminated the retirement plan for newer employees
. . . changed work rules
. . . allowed a crazy scheduling system
. . . halted the costume-changing pay allowance
. . . allowed employee reductions through more outsourcing
. . . mandatory workdays of up to 14-hours w/o notice

. . . used to take about 7-yrs to reach the top of a pay grade
. . . now it can take 15-years to reach top of pay grade

[TiggerRPh]

I think that you have one of your numbers wrong...the union has 21,000 members. There are more than 21,000 CM's at WDW.

Just to illustrate your other points though....notice that of the 21,000 members, only about 5,500 bothered to vote.

[TheRustyScupper]

I think that you have one of your numbers wrong...the union has 21,000 members. There are more than 21,000 CM's at WDW.

1) According to law, even if you don't belong, you are a member. *
2) The union can't represent you, but you are a member.
3) In the event of a dispute or grievance, a rep is there.
4) They are not representing the employee, just the Contract.

5) As for numbers
. . . there are over 60,000 employees at WDW
. . . more than 1/2 are non-union types
. . . of the remaining, there are several unions
. . . many do not belong to the Service Trades Council
. . . for union jobs, less than 1/3 actually belong and pay dues

* Right-to-Work states have different laws than "Closed Shop" states where you MUST be a dues-paying member if the shop is represented by a union.

[Scar]

. . . there are over 60,000 employees at WDW
. . . for union jobs, less than 1/3 actually belong and pay dues.

So, does this mean that if there were a strike, only 7,000 (1/3 of 21,000) would do so?

Oh, and buy the way, where would they set up their picket line?

[TheRustyScupper]

So, does this mean that if there were a strike, only 7,000 (1/3 of 21,000) would do so?

Oh, and buy the way, where would they set up their picket line?

1) That is the problem.
2) When they have tried to strike, not enough go.
3) This leaves enough people manning the operations.
4) Unfortunately, managers and employees know this.
5) This makes the unions a VERY, VERY weak.
6) Legally, non-dues-payers could strike without penalty.
7) But, they can't afford to miss work.

8) There is no place on-site to strike.
9) The law says they must be off-property.
10) Thus, there are few places for people to see pickets.
. . . outside DTD on Hwy-535
. . . East Gate on I-4
. . . Main Gate on Hwy-192
11) Not very effective picketing locations.

NOTE: If you were a good union person and came to WDW for a vacation, would you actually not cross the picket line - and disappoint your entire family, let alone waste $3,000-$5,000?

NOTE2: The internal bus drivers tried to strike once. WDW heard about it in advance and brought in every MEARS driver available. The strike failed miserably. Guests never even knew anything about it. It was seamless.

[Scar]

Yup, in fact I’m now thinking the only ones who would even consider striking would be the 2,000 teamsters and the 870 other members who voted no. Not very effective. My guess is that Disney will offer some minor concession and the Teamsters will accept.

[Juniorunc2001]

I am sure this will get resolved, esp before the busy summer months.

What I don't understand is why so many union members decided not to vote. If they truely cared, then they would've voiced their opinion.

[Brian]

4% raises? I wish I could strong arm my way into a 4% guaranteed raise. Around here, 2.5% is the norm.

I'd love to hear what their health care costs would've been. I work for a health insurer and share in the costs of my health insurance. Although I don't know if it's the case here, I'm amazed by the unions that demand free health insurance and the high-percentage raises. The teachers unions, as well as some of the manufacturing unions, in my region are like that.

[minnie1956]

I used to work for union. Not again. Would rather be a whopper flopper than do that.
My Mom currently is. Pays big$$ for lousy part time job. That being said. When I see what we pay for our share of health plan at work, it really cranks me that the Union demands they don't have to pay for anything for theirs.
I hope everything is settled, though for all of their sakes.
It's a small world after all! Can't we just get along ( without Unions that is!)

[Dorito2000]

and please don't forget that the other unions in the STC encouraged a yes-vote. Only one disagreed with the new contract.

[TheRustyScupper]

1) The CM's deserve so much more than they get.
2) Especially with Disney making record profits!
3) The CM's make the magic for all the guests.
4) Not the managers, especially the younger untrained ones.

NOTE: I am sorry for so many of the CM's that cannot make it on their pay. I know many who are suffering. In fact I know one couple who both have been at WDW for several years. They have 3-children. They get food stamps and subsidized housing. Pitiful.

[joelkfla]

Update from the union web site:

Monday, May 21, 2007:
Contract Extended For 30 Days

The Union will meet with the Company on Wednesday, May 30, 2007.

[Figment!]

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[JT Mac]

4% raises? I wish I could strong arm my way into a 4% guaranteed raise. Around here, 2.5% is the norm.

Keep in mind that this is 4% over the course of the three-year term of the contract.

[joelkfla]

Keep in mind that this is 4% over the course of the three-year term of the contract.

No, according to the union web site, the contract that was voted down included 4%-5% annually, but maximum rates per classification would be limited to 2%-3% increase per year. So cm's at the top of their pay range could receive less than 4%. I think that was one of the Teamsters' gripes.

Starting rates were to have increased $0.25-$1.35. Bad news for me -- I'll probably be starting a couple of weeks before the new contract kicks in (assuming one is approved in the next few weeks.)