LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Walt Disney World's government approved a labor contract with emergency service workers Wednesday, ending two years of contentious negotiations in which the employees claimed they weren't afforded the same rights as other public workers.
The Board of Supervisors for the Reedy Creek Improvement District approved the three-year contract for the 142 firefighters, paramedics and dispatchers who make up the Reedy Creek Firefighters Association union.
"Did we get everything we want? No. Did the union get everything they wanted? No," emergency services manager Ray Colburn told the board. "It was a compromise."
The new contract includes pay raises of between 3 percent and 4 percent for each year of the contract, which ends in 2006, and a one-time 4 percent signing bonus. It also increases starting pay for firefighters and lets workers who have topped out on the payscale earn more money. The district agreed to extend health benefits to retired workers over age 55 with more than 20 years on the force. Both sides agreed to let medical professionals determine whether workers contracted communicable diseases on the job rather than a committee made up of union and management representatives.
The district also agreed to increase training and health monitoring for firefighters in a special operations unit that would deal with hazardous spills and rescues. The union agreed to a program where firefighters would be paid 15 cents more an hour if they achieve a certain level of fitness during an exercise test.
"It's a fair and equitable document for both labor and the district," said Rick Gorsuch, president of the union.
Union officials had complained that the uniqueness of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which was created by the Florida Legislature in 1967 to serve as Walt Disney World's government, made it impossible for the firefighters to exercise their full rights as public servants.
Florida law allows both sides in a labor dispute involving public workers to use a mediator. If the mediator's recommendations are rejected by either side, the law lets either side bring their complaints to the controlling legislative body - in this case Reedy Creek's Board of Supervisors. The legislative body holds a public hearing and decides the outcome, which is only binding for one year.
The firefighters argued that Reedy Creek's board was not a genuine legislative body elected by voters because Disney selects its members. They had argued that other firefighters could petition a mayor or influence the political process, which they could not do since Disney is a private company.
Although the firefighters wanted an independent arbitrator to make any binding decisions, the issue became moot once a contract was reached.
"It took a long time but I think it's worth it," said Thomas DeWolf, who serves on the Board of Supervisors.
---------------------------------------------------------
Disney's government [RCID] approves contract with firefighters
MIKE SCHNEIDER
Associated Press
---------------------------------------------------------
Brendan
Theme Parks
Magic
Kingdom
Discussion Boards
Acronym Decoder
Arcade
Casino
Member Photos
WDW
Maps
Priority Seating
Disney
Trivia
Dining
Menus
Orlando
Weather
