Contract negotiations start Monday between Walt Disney World officials and members of its unions.
The contract for Disney’s two largest Unions, Unite Here Local 737 and Unite Here Local 362, expire on March 29.
Workers covered in the contract include housekeepers, ride operators, fast food workers, cooks, dishwashers, beverage workers, custodians, ticket-takers and vacation planners.
In all, 24,000 full-time unionized workers will be affected by the new contract.
Last week, Disney employees held a rally calling for higher pay and better benefits.
Full-time Disney employees do get opportunities for paid vacation, holidays and overtime, but many said they want an increase in base pay. Union 737 president Jeremy Cruz-Haiken told us last week that two-thirds of their members are making $8 or $9 an hour.
Disney issued this statement last week:
We have a long history of working constructively with the unions and we're optimistic we'll be able to reach a reasonable agreement. We look forward to beginning negotiations in March and have a history of providing pay increases to our Cast Members.
— Jacquee Wahler, Walt Disney World Spokesperson