It should really say LESS...
At negotiations today, Disney presented the same offer we rejected on October 14, 2010, minus the $100 ratification bonus. The Service Trades Council has taken a position of rejecting the offer (a majorty of the Unions voted to reject the offer, 4-2).
The current extension of the agreement ends November 8, 2010.
Local 362 is holding a General Membership Meeting tomorrow, Thursday, October 28, 2010 at 9am and 6pm at the Local 362 Union Hall to decide our next steps. All members are encouraged to attend.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Negotiations resume
Disney negotiations are scheduled to resume on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at 10am. The bargaining session is being held in the DC-2 building in the Town Hall Conference Room. The DC-2 building is located at 1800 Live Oak Lane. All members are welcome to attend.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Actions speak louder than words
This group of workers went to the Disney Executive Offices on October 22, 2010 to ask for fair wage increases and affordable health care. Si, se puede!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Victory!
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/the-daily-disney/os-disney-union-vote-1015-20101014,0,7122659.story
Disney World unions vote against proposed new contract; current deal set to expire Saturday
"The contract was rejected," said Harris Raynor, president of Walt Disney World's Service Trades Council, late Thursday.
Unionized workers at Walt Disney World voted against a proposed labor contract Thursday, despite the largest of the resort's unions coming out in support of the contract before the vote.
"The contract was rejected," Harris Raynor, president of Walt Disney World's Service Trades Council, said late Thursday.
The current contract will continue through Saturday at midnight, a Disney spokeswoman said.
The largest labor group at Walt Disney World, the Service Trades Council, represents approximately 20,000 full-time workers at the resort. The council is made up of six unions that negotiate together.
It was unclear late Thursday whether the exact voting tallies would be released by all the unions.
In a statement, Disney repeated its claim that the proposed contract included competitive wage increases for workers.
"During any labor negotiations, it's important for those involved to bring reasonable and realistic expectations to the table," said Steve Eisenhardt, vice president of labor relations for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, in a statement. "We continue to stand by our offer of competitive wage increases and affordable health care."
Eric Clinton, president of Unite Here! Local 362 and a vocal critic of the contract, said about 86 percent of his union's voting members were opposed to the contract.
"I'm incredibly happy that our members got to speak and sent the message to Disney that we can do better," he said.
The proposed contract would have guaranteed a one-time $550 bonus plus three 3 percent raises during the course of the 42-month contract for full-time workers not already at the top of their pay scale.
However, some union members were unhappy that workers in select job categories would receive bigger bumps — between 3.25 percent and 4 percent a year.
While Disney said the higher raises should go to the workers in more specialized professions, critics said the proposal was unfair because those with less-specialized job classifications already earn less money.
Asked what the Service Trades Council's next move would be, Raynor said member unions would look to the next round of negotiations.
"The affiliates of the council will be meeting and deciding how to respond," he said.
Raynor is also an elected representative of Workers United, SEIU Local 737, the largest of the Service Trades Council unions and one of the two that endorsed the contract. Workers United had been joined in its support with the smallest of the six unions, the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees Local 631.
Three of the other unions, Unite Here! Local 362, Teamsters Local 385 and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1625, had announced opposition to the contract's ratification. The sixth, the Transportation Communications International Union Local 1908 remained neutral as the vote approached.
Ed Chambers, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1625, said Thursday night he was happy with the result of the vote, but bothered by what he saw as interference from Disney management leading up to it.
Before the Thursday vote, union opponents of the contract distributed fliers urging workers to vote no, under the slogan "Send Disney a message: We're worth more."
Meanwhile, Disney countered with posters featuring the message: "A vote to ratify = more money" — a reminder that Disney was offering each full-time worker a $100 bonus if the contract was approved on the first vote.
Chambers said he considered the posters an unwelcome and unusual intrusion into a purely union vote. He said his union voted 690 to 48 against the contract.
Reached late Thursday, Disney spokeswoman Andrea Finger said it was "still too early" to say what the theme park giant's next move would be in negotiations.
However, Clinton said the union members "have spoken."
"Disney now needs to listen," he said. "They need to come back to the bargaining table with something better."
Jason Garcia of the Sentinel staff contributed to this report. Jeff Weiner can be reached at 407-420-5171 or jeweiner@orlandosentinel.com.
Disney World unions vote against proposed new contract; current deal set to expire Saturday
"The contract was rejected," said Harris Raynor, president of Walt Disney World's Service Trades Council, late Thursday.
Unionized workers at Walt Disney World voted against a proposed labor contract Thursday, despite the largest of the resort's unions coming out in support of the contract before the vote.
"The contract was rejected," Harris Raynor, president of Walt Disney World's Service Trades Council, said late Thursday.
The current contract will continue through Saturday at midnight, a Disney spokeswoman said.
The largest labor group at Walt Disney World, the Service Trades Council, represents approximately 20,000 full-time workers at the resort. The council is made up of six unions that negotiate together.
It was unclear late Thursday whether the exact voting tallies would be released by all the unions.
In a statement, Disney repeated its claim that the proposed contract included competitive wage increases for workers.
"During any labor negotiations, it's important for those involved to bring reasonable and realistic expectations to the table," said Steve Eisenhardt, vice president of labor relations for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, in a statement. "We continue to stand by our offer of competitive wage increases and affordable health care."
Eric Clinton, president of Unite Here! Local 362 and a vocal critic of the contract, said about 86 percent of his union's voting members were opposed to the contract.
"I'm incredibly happy that our members got to speak and sent the message to Disney that we can do better," he said.
The proposed contract would have guaranteed a one-time $550 bonus plus three 3 percent raises during the course of the 42-month contract for full-time workers not already at the top of their pay scale.
However, some union members were unhappy that workers in select job categories would receive bigger bumps — between 3.25 percent and 4 percent a year.
While Disney said the higher raises should go to the workers in more specialized professions, critics said the proposal was unfair because those with less-specialized job classifications already earn less money.
Asked what the Service Trades Council's next move would be, Raynor said member unions would look to the next round of negotiations.
"The affiliates of the council will be meeting and deciding how to respond," he said.
Raynor is also an elected representative of Workers United, SEIU Local 737, the largest of the Service Trades Council unions and one of the two that endorsed the contract. Workers United had been joined in its support with the smallest of the six unions, the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees Local 631.
Three of the other unions, Unite Here! Local 362, Teamsters Local 385 and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1625, had announced opposition to the contract's ratification. The sixth, the Transportation Communications International Union Local 1908 remained neutral as the vote approached.
Ed Chambers, president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1625, said Thursday night he was happy with the result of the vote, but bothered by what he saw as interference from Disney management leading up to it.
Before the Thursday vote, union opponents of the contract distributed fliers urging workers to vote no, under the slogan "Send Disney a message: We're worth more."
Meanwhile, Disney countered with posters featuring the message: "A vote to ratify = more money" — a reminder that Disney was offering each full-time worker a $100 bonus if the contract was approved on the first vote.
Chambers said he considered the posters an unwelcome and unusual intrusion into a purely union vote. He said his union voted 690 to 48 against the contract.
Reached late Thursday, Disney spokeswoman Andrea Finger said it was "still too early" to say what the theme park giant's next move would be in negotiations.
However, Clinton said the union members "have spoken."
"Disney now needs to listen," he said. "They need to come back to the bargaining table with something better."
Jason Garcia of the Sentinel staff contributed to this report. Jeff Weiner can be reached at 407-420-5171 or jeweiner@orlandosentinel.com.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
VOTE NO!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Contemporary Resort
7am - 7pm
Contemporary Resort
7am - 7pm
Disney is paying you to go during work and providing transportation. If you are off, you can get 2 hours of report pay to vote. Ask your manager when you can go vote NO.
VOTE NO!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
48 hours
until we know the results!
The UFCW, Teamsters and UNITE HERE! having been doing excellent work. Thousands of members have been contacted and our NO vote is strong. There is still plenty of work to do by talking with our co-workers, but we have plenty of time to do it.
Contract Vote
Thursday, October, 14, 2010
7am - 7pm
Unions voting at Contemporary: Local 362, Local 737, UFCW, TCU
Union voting at Studios: IATSE
Union voting at TTC: Teamsters
VOTE NO!
Yes, we can!
The UFCW, Teamsters and UNITE HERE! having been doing excellent work. Thousands of members have been contacted and our NO vote is strong. There is still plenty of work to do by talking with our co-workers, but we have plenty of time to do it.
Contract Vote
Thursday, October, 14, 2010
7am - 7pm
Unions voting at Contemporary: Local 362, Local 737, UFCW, TCU
Union voting at Studios: IATSE
Union voting at TTC: Teamsters
VOTE NO!
Yes, we can!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
In the mail...
This came in the mail...
October 7, 2010
Sisters and Brothers,
Since the middle of June, the Local 362 Bargaining Committee has been meeting with Disney management to discuss your wages and working conditions. While at times the bargaining was incredibly difficult, this round of negotiations has produced many improvements for you and your co-workers. At the same time our Committee won these improvements, we also stopped the Company from taking anything away.
These improvements and defense of our current agreement came through one thing: Member participation. This started with thousands of members collecting surveys to decide the Bargaining Committee’s demands back in the spring of this year. It then continued with nearly one hundred workers delegating upper management around our contract demands and hundreds of workers putting scheduling concerns in writing. During Bargaining, over three hundred workers have attended to show support of the Union.
Then we started to talk money. Unfortunately, the final economic offer is not one that I can recommend to you. I believe that your hard work has kept Disney profitable and will continue to make this company a success. With that, I believe they should pay a fair wage and offer affordable health care. Their current offer has an overwhelming majority of our members making less money at the end of the proposed contract than they do today.
I believe that we can accomplish more on wages and health care, but only with your involvement. We will be voting on the current offer from the Company on Thursday, October 14, 2010 from 7am-7pm at the Contemporary Resort. It is critical that every member VOTE NO on the current offer and send the Company negotiators back to the bargaining table.
In Solidarity,
Eric Clinton
President
October 7, 2010
Sisters and Brothers,
Since the middle of June, the Local 362 Bargaining Committee has been meeting with Disney management to discuss your wages and working conditions. While at times the bargaining was incredibly difficult, this round of negotiations has produced many improvements for you and your co-workers. At the same time our Committee won these improvements, we also stopped the Company from taking anything away.
These improvements and defense of our current agreement came through one thing: Member participation. This started with thousands of members collecting surveys to decide the Bargaining Committee’s demands back in the spring of this year. It then continued with nearly one hundred workers delegating upper management around our contract demands and hundreds of workers putting scheduling concerns in writing. During Bargaining, over three hundred workers have attended to show support of the Union.
Then we started to talk money. Unfortunately, the final economic offer is not one that I can recommend to you. I believe that your hard work has kept Disney profitable and will continue to make this company a success. With that, I believe they should pay a fair wage and offer affordable health care. Their current offer has an overwhelming majority of our members making less money at the end of the proposed contract than they do today.
I believe that we can accomplish more on wages and health care, but only with your involvement. We will be voting on the current offer from the Company on Thursday, October 14, 2010 from 7am-7pm at the Contemporary Resort. It is critical that every member VOTE NO on the current offer and send the Company negotiators back to the bargaining table.
In Solidarity,
Eric Clinton
President
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
VOTE NO!
Local 362 is recommending a NO vote on the current offer from the Company because Disney can do better.
We deserve fair and equal wage increases every year of the contract. We deserve affordable medical insurance. We can not accept a contract where the increases in medical costs are greater than the raise we achieve. We deserve to take home MORE money, not LESS.
Send a message to Disney: We’re worth more!
Full-Time Contract Vote
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Contemporary Resort, Convention Center
Polls open from 7am-7pm
Vote NO!
We deserve fair and equal wage increases every year of the contract. We deserve affordable medical insurance. We can not accept a contract where the increases in medical costs are greater than the raise we achieve. We deserve to take home MORE money, not LESS.
Send a message to Disney: We’re worth more!
Full-Time Contract Vote
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Contemporary Resort, Convention Center
Polls open from 7am-7pm
Vote NO!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Sentinel Article
http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2010/10/disney-unions-split-before-contract-vote/
Disney unions split before contract vote
Jason Garcia, News — By Staff on October 4, 2010 at 11:38 pm
After more than three months of negotiations, Walt Disney World and its largest labor group are preparing for a potentially fractious vote on a new employment contract.
Three of the six unions that make up Disney’s Service Trades Council — which represents approximately 20,000 full-time workers at the resort — are urging their members to reject the proposed contract in an election tentatively set for Oct. 14.
Two of the council’s other unions have yet to take a position on the contract. And the sixth group is recommending a yes vote.
The split centers in large part on how Disney would distribute raises during the course of the 42-month contract.
Under the proposal, all full-time employees would get a $550 bonus this year and, provided they are not already at the top of their individual pay scale, at least 3 percent raises in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
But employees in select positions would receive larger raises — as much as 4 percent a year. For example, while merchandise workers would get 3 percent increases all three years, monorail employees would get 3.25 percent in 2011, 3.75 percent in 2012 and 4 percent in 2013.
Critics say the proposal is unfair, in part because some of the smallest raises are in less-specialized job classifications where workers already earn less money.
“The people who make the least are those who can least afford to get the smallest percentage increase,” said Julee Jerkovich, secretary-treasurer for United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1625, which represents merchandise employees as well as banquet workers and florists. “We believe that Disney can give raises, and they can give an equal percentage raise.”
Steve Eisenhardt, vice president of labor relations for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said each raise is based on a variety of factors unique to each job classification, such as how difficult a position is to fill.
“We evaluate them based on the skills necessary, the market competitiveness, … and we come to a conclusion as to what those increases can be,” Eisenhardt said.
Others say the overall size of the raises are inadequate for a company like Disney, whose theme-park division earned $1.4 billion last year, though that operating profit was down 25 percent from the year before. Many workers, they say, would see their raises largely wiped out by increases in health-insurance premiums.
“OK, these are tough economic times. But not for Disney,” said Donna-Lynne Dalton, a business agent for Teamsters Local 385, which represents bus drivers, characters and others. “It’s tougher than it has been, I’ll give you that. But they’re still doing very well.”
Disney’s Eisenhardt said the raises on the table “are very fair, very competitive in this environment.”
Union leaders say they are pleased with some provisions of the contract. During the two sides’ final bargaining session on Friday, for instance, Disney dropped a proposal to eliminate pensions for new hires and instead institute 401(k) retirement-investment accounts.
Disney is also dangling an extra sweetener in hopes of winning quick approval from workers: a $100 bonus for each employee should the contract be approved on the first vote.
Jason Garcia can be reached at jrgarcia@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5414.
Disney unions split before contract vote
Jason Garcia, News — By Staff on October 4, 2010 at 11:38 pm
After more than three months of negotiations, Walt Disney World and its largest labor group are preparing for a potentially fractious vote on a new employment contract.
Three of the six unions that make up Disney’s Service Trades Council — which represents approximately 20,000 full-time workers at the resort — are urging their members to reject the proposed contract in an election tentatively set for Oct. 14.
Two of the council’s other unions have yet to take a position on the contract. And the sixth group is recommending a yes vote.
The split centers in large part on how Disney would distribute raises during the course of the 42-month contract.
Under the proposal, all full-time employees would get a $550 bonus this year and, provided they are not already at the top of their individual pay scale, at least 3 percent raises in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
But employees in select positions would receive larger raises — as much as 4 percent a year. For example, while merchandise workers would get 3 percent increases all three years, monorail employees would get 3.25 percent in 2011, 3.75 percent in 2012 and 4 percent in 2013.
Critics say the proposal is unfair, in part because some of the smallest raises are in less-specialized job classifications where workers already earn less money.
“The people who make the least are those who can least afford to get the smallest percentage increase,” said Julee Jerkovich, secretary-treasurer for United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1625, which represents merchandise employees as well as banquet workers and florists. “We believe that Disney can give raises, and they can give an equal percentage raise.”
Steve Eisenhardt, vice president of labor relations for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said each raise is based on a variety of factors unique to each job classification, such as how difficult a position is to fill.
“We evaluate them based on the skills necessary, the market competitiveness, … and we come to a conclusion as to what those increases can be,” Eisenhardt said.
Others say the overall size of the raises are inadequate for a company like Disney, whose theme-park division earned $1.4 billion last year, though that operating profit was down 25 percent from the year before. Many workers, they say, would see their raises largely wiped out by increases in health-insurance premiums.
“OK, these are tough economic times. But not for Disney,” said Donna-Lynne Dalton, a business agent for Teamsters Local 385, which represents bus drivers, characters and others. “It’s tougher than it has been, I’ll give you that. But they’re still doing very well.”
Disney’s Eisenhardt said the raises on the table “are very fair, very competitive in this environment.”
Union leaders say they are pleased with some provisions of the contract. During the two sides’ final bargaining session on Friday, for instance, Disney dropped a proposal to eliminate pensions for new hires and instead institute 401(k) retirement-investment accounts.
Disney is also dangling an extra sweetener in hopes of winning quick approval from workers: a $100 bonus for each employee should the contract be approved on the first vote.
Jason Garcia can be reached at jrgarcia@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5414.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Summary of economics
On October 1, 2010, the Walt Disney Company made it’s “best” offer to the workers on economics. Below is a summary:
Term of Agreement
42 Month Contract – October 3, 2010 through March 29, 2014
Wages
Workers hired before 12/12/1998 – “Topped-out”
10/2/2010 - $550 Bonus
4/3/2011 - 2% wage increase
4/1/2012 - 2.25% wage increase
3/31/2013 - 2.5% wage increase
Workers hired after 12/12/1998 – “In-range”
10/2/2010 - $550 Bonus
4/3/2011 - 3% wage increase
4/1/2012 - 3% wage increase
3/31/2013 - 3% wage increase
Health Insurance
Negotiated caps on the HMO medical plan cost. Increases range from $3 to $12 per week per year depending of the level of coverage and year of the agreement.
Retirement
No change in current benefits
Holidays and Vacation benefits
No change in current benefits
Random Alcohol and drug testing
Ability to test driving roles, but only with agreement from the Union
Ratification bonus
$100 if ratified by members on first contract vote
While tremendous progress was made for the Disney Cast Members throughout negotiations on work rules and job-specific issues, this offer falls short of addressing the needs of the employees as it relates to economics. A contract vote will be scheduled in the near future. REJECT this offer and send the Company back to the bargaining table.
UNITE HERE! Local 362 is recommending a “NO” vote
Term of Agreement
42 Month Contract – October 3, 2010 through March 29, 2014
Wages
Workers hired before 12/12/1998 – “Topped-out”
10/2/2010 - $550 Bonus
4/3/2011 - 2% wage increase
4/1/2012 - 2.25% wage increase
3/31/2013 - 2.5% wage increase
Workers hired after 12/12/1998 – “In-range”
10/2/2010 - $550 Bonus
4/3/2011 - 3% wage increase
4/1/2012 - 3% wage increase
3/31/2013 - 3% wage increase
Health Insurance
Negotiated caps on the HMO medical plan cost. Increases range from $3 to $12 per week per year depending of the level of coverage and year of the agreement.
Retirement
No change in current benefits
Holidays and Vacation benefits
No change in current benefits
Random Alcohol and drug testing
Ability to test driving roles, but only with agreement from the Union
Ratification bonus
$100 if ratified by members on first contract vote
While tremendous progress was made for the Disney Cast Members throughout negotiations on work rules and job-specific issues, this offer falls short of addressing the needs of the employees as it relates to economics. A contract vote will be scheduled in the near future. REJECT this offer and send the Company back to the bargaining table.
UNITE HERE! Local 362 is recommending a “NO” vote
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Disney's "Best" offer
Disney management made it's "best" economic offer late this evening. The overall proposal falls short of the Local 362's bargaining committees goals. In short, wage increases offered to the Cast Members are far too small and get eaten up by the proposed increases in health insurance. The proposal has many workers making less money at the end of the contract.
The Union has been able to protect the Pension plan for all workers.
More details about the entire offer will follow...
A contract vote will be scheduled in the next two weeks. Local 362 is recommending a NO vote to reject the Company's offer. Disney can do better.
The Union has been able to protect the Pension plan for all workers.
More details about the entire offer will follow...
A contract vote will be scheduled in the next two weeks. Local 362 is recommending a NO vote to reject the Company's offer. Disney can do better.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Time is running out...
Union leaders and Disney management continue to negotiate the wages and working conditions for the nearly 30,000 service workers who work hard to make the Disney Corporation successful.
The Union’s Bargaining Committee remains committed to reaching the goals of the members.
- REAL wage increases every year of the contract for every worker
- Maintain affordable and quality health insurance
- A guaranteed retirement plan for every worker
Local 362 will not accept an agreement where any worker makes less money in any year of the contract than they did the year before. It is critical that all wage increases outpace any increase in health insurance costs.
Our contract with Disney expires at midnight on Saturday, October 2, 2010.
A bargaining session will take place on Friday, October 1, 2010 at the Buena Vista Palace in the “Islander” conference room near the pool. The session will start at 1030am and go throughout the day.
The Union’s Bargaining Committee remains committed to reaching the goals of the members.
- REAL wage increases every year of the contract for every worker
- Maintain affordable and quality health insurance
- A guaranteed retirement plan for every worker
Local 362 will not accept an agreement where any worker makes less money in any year of the contract than they did the year before. It is critical that all wage increases outpace any increase in health insurance costs.
Our contract with Disney expires at midnight on Saturday, October 2, 2010.
A bargaining session will take place on Friday, October 1, 2010 at the Buena Vista Palace in the “Islander” conference room near the pool. The session will start at 1030am and go throughout the day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)