Thousands of Walt Disney World Cast Members are set to reject Disney’s offer of a $1 raise per year. The Service Trades Council Union (STCU), which represents over 45,000 Cast Members, released the following statement.

Thousands of Disney workers are on the verge of rejecting Disney’s wage offer. Workers at Disney have been clear that they need immediate, large raises. All 6 unions representing workers in the Service Trades Council Union (STCU) are recommending that our members vote no on Disney’s contract proposal to keep fighting for the raises workers need.

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. Disney’s offer leaves behind a clear majority of the workforce and would offer only a $1 raise to over 30,000 cast members.

A “no” vote will show that Disney workers do not accept a $1 raise and want to keep pushing for higher raises for everyone.

This report shows consequences of low tourism workers’ wages; evidence makes the case for an immediate $18 wage standard.

Disney and STCU have been in negotiations for months without reaching an agreement. Walt Disney World previously increased Cast Member pay to a minimum of $15 per hour. STCU is asking for $18 per hour now, and a plan to eventually raise this to $20 per hour. Disney has instead offered a raise of $1 per hour per year to reach $20. Cast Members asking for a larger, more immediate raise cite financial distress that won’t be solved by long-term increases. Last month, Cast Members protested their low wages with signs that read “Full-time can’t buy diapers!” and “Full-time can’t buy formula!”

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