Cast Member unions have finally reached an agreement with Disney, which the service trades council announced on March 23rd. The council is made up of six unions that represent Disney World employees.

Unite Here Local 362 announces a new contract proposal for Disney World Cast Members.

The unions have been in talks with Disney for a long time now, with the main issue being wages. Disney gave an offer in February of this year that union members overwhelmingly voted to reject, and the unions said that negotiations stopped after Disney “refused to add even one cent to its wage proposal.” Now, after negotiations recently resumed, an agreement has been reached and Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle released a statement about it.

Under the new agreement between Disney and the Cast Member unions, the following changes will be made (provided union members vote to approve this agreement):

• Minimum of $17 an hour for new and existing cast members upon ratification (effective immediately)
• Minimum of $18 an hour by year-end for current cast
• Annual pay increases every year of the contract
• Full retroactive increased pay of at least $2 more an hour, dated back to October 2022 for all current cast members
• Entry-level rates for newly hired cast will reach a minimum of $18 an hour by 2024

Disney Cast Members by a Clap Box

Disney’s initial offer in February set a minimum wage of $16 an hour for many roles with a raise each year for 5 years to a $20 minimum wage. This offer was rejected. Cast Members in the unions will vote on the new agreement next week, on Wednesday, March 29th.

Disney World Cast Members at The Confectionery

The proposal would make the minimum wage for Disney World’s current Cast Members $18 per hour by year’s end, and the increased wages will be retroactive to the date of the contract — October 1st. The union leaders said, “We could not be more proud. Every one of the affiliates of the service trades council union will be recommending that their Cast Members vote to support this agreement.”

Cast Members doing water art

Disney reached out with a statement from Jeff Vahle, President of Walt Disney World Resort, about this agreement. Vahle said, “Our cast members are central to Walt Disney World’s enduring magic, which is why we are pleased to have reached this tentative agreement. Disney is proud to offer an industry-leading employment package that includes comprehensive benefits and affordable medical coverage, in addition to 100 percent paid tuition for higher education for hourly employees through the Disney Aspire program. With the support of the unions, we anticipate cast members will approve this new agreement.”

Jeff Vahle

Disney also stated the following: “In addition to Walt Disney World being the first major employer in Central Florida to set a path to a $15 per hour starting wage for our cast members by 2021, we invest in their overall employee experience by offering a comprehensive employment package that includes health care, paid vacation and sick time, overtime opportunities, discount offers, along with multiple options for development and advancement.”

Cast Members!

We’ll watch for any updates about this story, and we’ll let you know how the union members vote on the 29th. Keep following DFB for all the latest Disney news.

Click here to learn more about the Cast Member union agreement.