Union Urges Rejection of Disney World’s Offer

Union officials are urging members to reject a contract offer covering almost half of Walt Disney World’s more than 50,000 employees, claiming it is as tightfisted as anything Scrooge McDuck would concoct.

Leaders of the Service Trades Council Union, a coalition that covers about 22,000 costumed characters, ticket takers, food service workers, housekeepers, bellhops and bus drivers, recommended rejecting the preliminary offer when members voted on it today.

“I don’t believe later down the road when we’ve got the company’s final offer, we’re going to be looking at this proposal as it is,” said Joe Condo, president of the Service Trades Council Union.

“But I can’t understand why they want to upset their workforce by even putting something as terrible as this out.”

Although a strike isn’t being considered right now, union officials have not ruled one out. In past years, the first votes on preliminary contract offers were a way for union members to learn about the provisions before union and company officials headed back to the negotiating table.

The previous contract expired in May but has been extended.

“We have not completed our bargaining on economic items so the current offer on the table does not reflect a finalized offer from the company,” Jerry Montgomery, Disney World’s senior vice president for public affairs, said in a statement.

Disney spokeswoman Jacquee Polak wouldn’t comment further.

Among the provisions union officials oppose:

* The elimination of overtime pay except when employees work more than 40 hours a week.

* A 1% wage increase for non-tipped workers who have not reached top scale, which usually occurs after six years of service, and a $500 bonus for workers at the maximum pay rate.

* The elimination of company pension plans for new employees, encouraging them instead to invest in 401(k) plans.

* The elimination of free health insurance offered to employees at Disney, which has five plans.