The ongoing labor dispute at Walt Disney World revolves around Disney workers demanding a raise to $18/hour. The local workers say Disney’s proposed $1/hour raise is “not enough to pay for the cost-of-living crisis” happening in Central Florida.
That is not only an indictment on low wages at Disney – that’s calling out a broken economy built by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, former Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and current Mayor Jerry Demings.
Disney cast members are calling out the high cost of rent and other expenses locally. The union petition calls it a “state of emergency.”
According to an online petition from UNITE HERE: “During negotiations with the Service Trades Council Union (STCU), Disney is proposing raises of $1 a year for most workers, but $1 is not enough to pay for the cost-of-living crisis that workers are facing in Central Florida. Rent and other expenses have skyrocketed, leaving workers in a state of emergency. This offer leaves behind a clear majority of the workforce and would offer only a $1 raise to over 30,000 cast members.”
The petition adds: “Disney it’s time you show workers respect for their work. They’ve been loyal employees that show up and make the magic happen, but they can’t pay bills with magic. Disney workers deserve $18 per hour in 2023.”
This is not what local officials want tourists and others around the country to hear about Orlando and our local economy.
