Restaurant workers at Disney Springs are demanding better wages and benefits, aiming to achieve the same job security as Disney cast members. Despite working at Disney World, these employees face unfair treatment beyond low pay. In a recent gathering, workers from different restaurants came together to call for a better working environment, as reported by WFTV.
UNITE HERE Local 737, the union steering this movement is vocal about the discrepancies. Jeremy Haicken, the union's president, stated, per the WFTV report, "And it’s absolutely unacceptable that we have a second-class worker doing the same work right on the same property." Unlike Disney's direct employees, subcontracted workers aren't reaping the rewards of the park's enchantment.
The disparities are stark, with personal stories highlighting the struggle. Joli Lindsay, a server at an Italian restaurant on the grounds, said, "I’m quickly reminded that I’m a second-class worker." And this 'class' rings true across the board — subcontractors at Disney Springs Marketplace earn less, with fewer benefits, compared to those employed directly by Disney World, as detailed by Orlando Weekly.
For employees like Sabrina Redditt, a cook at Morimoto Asia, the financial contrast is more than a number — it's the difference between security and instability. Redditt disclosed, facing eviction, "If I worked for Disney, I'd be able to keep a roof over my family," she said, according to Orlando Weekly. Her plight mirrors many others in the hospitality industry, beset by part-time jobs that demand full availability without offering full-time benefits. The union's survey speaks volumes: 59 percent of workers being part-time, 46 percent uninsured, in contrast to the security enjoyed by Disney World's unionized workforce where even part-timers receive paid sick time.
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