Walt Disney World union members approve pay hike

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Walt Disney World union members approve pay hike

Members of a coalition of unions representing Walt Disney WorldDisney World workers voted yes Wednesday on the company's latest pay increase.

New and existing WDW cast members will be entitled to a $17 an-hour salary under the terms of the agreement, while current cast members will receive a minimum of $18 an hour.

Workers are entitled to annual pay increases for every year of the contract, as well as full retroactive increase in pay for all current cast members dating back to October 2022.

With the support of the union, the cast members of Walt Disney World ResortDisney World Resort have always been at the heart of the Walt Disney WorldDisney World experience. We are thrilled that they have approved this new five-year agreement that significantly increases wages, along with our leading benefits program that includes affordable medical coverage, and more, Jeff Vahle, President of Walt Disney World ResortDisney World Resort, said in a statement.

The Disney aspire program gives frontline employees access to 100 percent paid tuition for higher education. Some 14,000 union members voted to reject Disney's $17 minimum in February. A tentative agreement was reached last Thursday.

STCU said today that union workers gave proof that standing together in solidarity works for each other works, and that standing together in solidarity works for each other. It was only possible to win because union workers from all backgrounds came together, breaking through cultural barriers, and fighting for themselves and their families. More than 12,500 workers voted on Wednesday, with 97% voting for the contract. The service workers' contract covers more than half of the 70,000-plus workforce at Disney World.