Historically, Walt Disney had a complicated relationship with employee compensation, often leading to labor friction.

Historically, Walt Disney had a complicated relationship with employee compensation, often leading to labor friction. While he offered job stability, many animators felt underpaid and undervalued, leading to a major strike in 1941. Today, Disney workers often cite low wages, with many relying on food stamps or living in their cars, despite some improvements in union contracts. Sound familiar? lol we keep the rich  by settling for less. Just saying.

Walt Disney was opposed to unionization and fought against the formation of a union within his studio, only signing a contract after immense pressure.

Modern Day Compensation (2017-2026):Low Pay Concerns: In 2018, surveys indicated that a significant portion of Disney employees (around 10%) reported being homeless, and many complained of being unable to afford basic expenses. Wage Increases: Following pressure and legal action, Disney has raised wages, with a 2018 agreement boosting pay to $15 an hour and later contracts reaching higher rates, such as $19.90 an hour in some areas. Compensation Disputes: Despite raises, many workers feel that pay has not kept up with the cost of living and rising workloads, leading to ongoing labor discussions. Legal Issues: A class-action lawsuit regarding wages in Anaheim and a 2017 Department of Labor finding regarding pay in Florida highlight concerns about how Disney compensates its hourly staff,

At this point in negotiations people seem entirely unhappy with many willing to just take a bite of the sh*t sandwich just to get it over with.

I can understand your frustration. This Union isn’t united; it hasn’t been in some time. From Departments fighting for themselves and not each other, the unjust removal of the rightfully elected President Jonathan, being told to vote on a contract no one has seen until day of, I feel this Union has been willing to throw up their hands and say “this is as good as it gets” or “it’s better than nothing.”

But remember:

Public image is Disney’s bread and butter.  We have options before a strike occurs. We can picket, letting the public know that Disney doesn’t think their safety is worth the money.

The guests side with cast members.  And the threat of a strike is one the company is taking seriously so use that. Inform the public that Disney may have a historic strike on its hands.

You are not just a number. You are part of what makes Disneyland. If you feel your worth, know your worth, and believe that there are still options for even a SLIGHTLY better contract, fight for it

Please, we need to vote no, not because of the wage raise but because of structure rate for new hires. Full timer hours will be reduced to 32 hours and part times can have it worst. Part timers can be scheduled 10 hour on week, the next week 0 hours, another week probably 12. It will be even harder to get hours, especially if the company would favor to give hours to new hire who are only getting paid 90% of our worth. Please we need to vote NO. The next contract just need to take away the structure rate for new hire. This contract is perfect with being 4 years. A shorter contract means we have it easier to change it later. AND the pay raise is ok. Again please see that part times will be affected the hardest. So vote NO

People need to relax with the “know your worth” arguments. We gain absolutely nothing by tearing each other down or trying to push people out of the department simply because they want something better for themselves. There is nothing wrong with wanting more-whether that means higher pay, better benefits, more opportunities, or a better future for your family.

Yes, there are opportunities outside this job. Some people may leave, some may transfer departments, some may become managers, and some may stay right where they are. The reality is, there will never be one magical number that every single person agrees on. Everyone’s situation is different. Everyone has different bills, responsibilities, struggles, goals, and private lives that nobody else fully sees or understands.

So instead of attacking each other, respect each other’s perspective. Vote based on your own analysis, your own due diligence, and what works for your life. If this contract works for you, that’s your choice. If it doesn’t, that’s your choice too.

I’m genuinely curious, for those who believe we deserve 30+/hr, what is the justification behind it?

Before I went back to school, my full time job as a researcher (BS degree required) only made 50 cents more per hour. I am failing to see why this security role deserves to be paid more than positions that require special knowledge/skill.

Kevin Jones

Basic cost of living increase coupled with inflation. Employment with a Fortune 100 company that commingles with international law enforcement agencies to protect basic and extreme human assets. Comparable wages for currently employed members within the firm who encounter lower level threats while receiving greater compensation and higher benefits.

Kevin M Vazquez

Kevin Jones also Disney is getting a 1.8 million tax return

Keilani Sun

Kevin Jones sure, everyone deserves a livable wage. BUT, the position and wage should make sense. As an unarmed security officer, what aspects of our job deserves to be paid 30+/hr compared to the positions you are referring to?

Anna Tower

Keilani Sun regular security jobs are only trained in one type of security. We are trained in multiple jobs/ locations and do more than the average security officer.

Anna Tower

Darian Truong cost of living is 34 to 36 an hour in anaheim. So asking for 30 is not unreasonable

Kevin M Vazquez

Keilani Sun yes. Why not? Everyone should be able to live while sacrificing your life for their benefit. You do realize Disney made 20 billion in the last 2 quarters and they pay about 10 billion to run the parks. So they’ve covered their cost twice and it’s not even the end of the year.

Anna Tower

Keilani Sun yes we all deserve to make a livable wage. Every person. Why is paying someone enough to live such an issue? We all work our asses off. Are people with degrees or privilege the only ones allowed to afford things?

Jesse Silva

Reality is that a BS doesn’t mean crap anymore and it hasn’t for a long time. The fact of the matter is inflation has a lot to do with it as well as the other things that come into effect from a physical and hazardous aspect. The 12 or so Deltas we have per shift make $65-85 an hour. They don’t do shit to be honest most stand around talking with one another if we need them they take their sweet time, rarely do they actually arrest anyone so as I said basically do as we do but get paid a hell of a lot more for a hell of a lot less usage. We are more likely to get hurt in a confrontation or come in contact with something that can harm us than they are as we are the FIRST line of defense. In my books a Pawn is just as important as your queen, without one u can’t defend the other so why are u not asking yourself why you’re not treated as you’re worth more, instead of questioning yourself why you are?

Jesse Silva

Keilani Sun it’s not to down play your education as I believe it’s important and commendable BUT the reality is there’s kids playing video games on YouTube making millions by the handfuls with no education most of them can barely speak let alone write using proper grammar and punctuation lol. So people tossing around education now at days isn’t a valid argument when u can be rich with a lot less education it’s just finding your spot to make your move. Here I don’t expect to be rich but there are some of us who have a vast amount of experience (former police officers, former military, etc.) who contribute sometimes more to situations than leads do. Whenever I’m working with certain leads that know my background and someone is being hostile and they need back up there’s a select few of us that are always called to respond on my shifts. Carlos Sanchez is another one that always gets called on but we don’t get paid more for that. I’m there to screen and get pulled off to handle some crazy. Then you talk about leads and management taking care of things and will tell you that there are some great leads and a ton of clueless ones there’s managers that don’t care. I’ve had personal one on ones with Mike Chocek and have had him tell me that we are to handle things a certain way more involved than we currently do and when I told a manager what Mike asked me to pass along they said they’re not doing it his way. There’s NO structure to really 100% say leads and managers are any smarter, better or as consistent as the next. Lastly in regards to others universal studios employees with securitas get paid more but they’re rented by universal through securitas who takes money from the total pay and pays a portion to the worker. We belong directly to Disneyland not a subcompany therefore could get paid more as there’s no agency to pay on our behalf.

Anthony Dressel

Your full time researcher job should have been paid more because it required special knowledge/skills, it's not our fault that other jobs aren't properly valued by their employers

Susan McDaniel

I hv hazards that can ruin our health if stuck by dirty needle We find loaded guns. And start praying they don’t try grab it or attack us for having the bag. We kick out people who possibly will find out when we’re off watch from across the street follow you home then come back later. We dazzle you with magical experience while going through the bags you brought. Stuffed so tight it takes effort not to show it on your face your HABE to much stuff and I am going to get to the bottom of the bag. We go with what skills and knowledge trained with and carry the five keys daily and when evacuation. Medical emergencies and rain are happening we still are show worthy. Screening for 8 hours is hard on you. Standing in blistering sunshine like a lot of people suffer health risk in heat with out cooling down just your opinion Just my opinion. There’s a lot going on at screening tents. 30 bucks an hour. Minus fees for union minus fees for taxes. We need the 30 per hour so we can pay bills eat oh and if you have kids list of things is more for football cheer dance sports clubs. Lively hood matters.

Joey Duong·

As we all go vote the next couple days for the 3rd time, lets keep the following in mind.

TL:DR - DLR Security should start at $28.95 /hr.  Matching the ratio of WDW Security Pay rate and their area's cost of living for the 4 surrounding counties.

Using MIT's cost of living calculator for the 4 counties surrounding WDW and DLR for a single adult with no children. The living wage is broken down as per hour rate.

WDW:

Orange County, FL - $25.25 /hr

Lake County, FL - $24.31 /hr

Osceola County, FL - $25.27 /hr

Polk County, FL - $22.16 /hr

Average - $24.25 /hr

DLR:

Orange County, CA - $36.53 /hr

Los Angeles County, CA - $28.92 /hr

Riverside County, CA - $28.84 /hr

San Bernardino County, CA - $27.60 /hr

Average - $30.47 /hr

Now lets compare WDW Security's pay rate compared to our current DLR Security proposed rate.

According to Transfer Genie, WDW Security starts at $23 /hr starting which is 95% of their average living wage.

During this TA as of May 10, 2026, we are proposed for a 4% pay increase from the current start pay of $26 which equals $27.04. That is only 89% of our average living wage.

Why cant DLR match the average living ratio with WDW? We obviously within the same company which gives relatively the same benefits (we probally have less), hold similar job description (if not more), and fall under the same International SPFPA Union.

If we do match WDW's average living wage ratio of 95%, we should be at $28.95 /hr starting rate. Why cant we match the same baseline as Florida which has already been established?

I was about to post that we should picket.

Then I read Section 6B of the contract. If I did so, or encouraged others to, I could be fired.

What a great Union!

Disney Security Union Page - Open Forum

Fernando Johnson

 Yesterday at 4:34 PM

 Everone was focusing on $35 some said it was a ridiculous number, any PCO OR K9 Handler willing to say what their number was going in since its just not 1 # being thrown around but 35 is the only # being mentioned.  There has to be other numbers not being mentioned.  Transarency comes to mind.  I know its dfferent premiums different areas with in security.  But we should all know what the overall picture is.  Who is looking out for who.  Only asking since there is no screener representation on the board that chimes in.  Patrick (pco) candice (k9) alex (baker) food for thought

Jesse Silva

This is what I think everyone feels at this point. The board is so one sided there should be one rep for every department on this board to make everything fair down the road

Steve Gallegos

Jesse Silva not a bad idea

Jesse Silva

Monique Torres all these people and sadly you only hear from both Alex’s, Candice and Johnathan the rest are silent allowing these guys to take the hit for everything. All in all the system is broken period we need some changes from with in

Fernando Johnson

Jesse Silva agreed there needs to be changes made

Eyes on SPFPA

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