Troubled economy casts shadow over Disney union talks
Walt Disney World has begun negotiations with the coalition that represents over half of the park's employees. The union and the park have been exchanging preliminary 'non-economic' offers. The park has proposed eliminating pensions for new employees, instead replacing them with 401(k)s, increasing the cap on hours worked by part-time employees. The unions have countered by proposing increasing the number of guaranteed hours for full-time employees and restricting the hiring of international workers. Wages and health insurance are not expected to be discussed until later August. Smaller groups are also negotiating on specific issues, such as safety for bus drivers and wages for workers who do more dangerous jobs, like cleaning the giant Spaceship Earth in Epcot by rappelling. Contracts expire on October 2.
See "Troubled economy casts shadow over Disney union talks", Jason Garcia, Orlando Sentinel, July 25, 2010