Thursday, November 12, the Southern Regional Council of Carpenters, representing Carpenters Local 1820, filed an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) claim against Walt Disney Company.
The filing comes after several union workers reported mistreatment and intimidation from Disney management, including reporting that workers were told that they were “replaceable” if they chose to go on strike.
A ULP occurs when an employer or union violates the rights of workers to organize, bargain collectively for fair wages and benefits, or participated in protected, concerted activity. A charge is filed with the National Labor Relations Board, who will investigate the misconduct and make a determination as to whether any rights guaranteed by federal labor law were violated.
The filing of the ULP is preceded by several months of contract negotiations with the Walt Disney Company. The first contract negotiated between the Craft Maintenance Council (which represents trades unions at Walt Disney World, including Carpenters Local 1820) and the Walt Disney Corporation was resoundingly voted down earlier this year. The CMC will vote on a second contract, November 20 and 21st.
Members are concerned that the wages and benefits offered by Disney do not take into account inflation, rising health care costs and skyrocketing living costs in Central Florida.
“The Southern Regional Council of Carpenters is fully behind our members at Local 1820 in their fight for a fair contract with the Walt Disney Company,” said Southern Regional Council of Carpenters Executive Secretary-Treasurer Kavin Griffin.
“Our members are the ones that put the magic in the Magic Kingdom and are responsible for the enjoyment and safety of the millions of people who visit the parks every year. It’s well past the time that Disney presents them with a contract that reflects that. Simply put, without their work the parks can’t operate.”
For more information, please contact Michael Newberger, Marketing and Communications Director for the Southern Regional Council of Carpenters at MNewberger@southernrcc.org or at 813-428-3419.