ANAHEIM, CALIF. – December 7, 2011 — By an overwhelming majority, UNITE HERE Local 11 members at the Disneyland Resort ratified a new, mutually beneficial, five-year collective bargaining agreement that was supported by both union leadership and the company. The contract will be in effect through January 2017, and applies to the union’s 2,100 workers at the Resort’s three hotels and the Central Bakery.

The new contract includes wage increases, a choice of affordable healthcare for benefits-eligible workers and their families, and decreased workloads for housekeepers. The new contract also provides job security and seniority protection for both full-time and part-time workers.

"We’re extremely pleased that the Disneyland Resort hotel cast members represented by UNITE HERE Local 11 have overwhelmingly supported this fair and comprehensive agreement," said Tony Bruno, vice president of Disneyland Resort Hotels and Downtown Disney. "We know the efforts of these cast members, along with more than 20,000 others throughout the resort, are responsible for making lasting memories for our guests every day."

As part of the new agreement, workers will have a choice to remain in the union healthcare plan, with contributions of about $7-$10 per week, or transition to one of the Disney benefits plans and be eligible for a bonus.

"We are very excited to have settled on an agreement that ensures affordable family healthcare and protections for full-time jobs – the two issues most important to me and many of my co-workers," said Tom Bray, a Disneyland Hotel bellman.

Under the terms that were ratified by the cast members, the Resort’s Central Bakery becomes part of this one unified agreement with Local 11. Central Bakery cast members, though part of Local 11, had been covered under a separate bargaining agreement. The Bakery cast members also will have choice in their healthcare plans during next year’s open enrollment.

Most Local 11 cast members already were provided with wage increases. Under the new agreement, the Central Bakery cast now will receive a $.40 per hour increase retroactive to June 2011.

"We are very happy UNITE HERE Local 11 members at the Disneyland Resort have the protection of a contract again," said Tom Walsh, President of UNITE HERE Local 11. "It was a long road, but in the end both sides compromised to reach a fair deal."

Disneyland Resort is proud of its long-standing history of positive relationships with its unions, which started prior to 1955. Currently, all 31 unions at the Disneyland Resort, representing about 17,000 of its 22,000 cast members, have contracts in place.

UNITE HERE Local 11 represents 20,000 hotel and food service workers in Los Angeles and Orange counties. UNITE HERE organizes to ensure workers win livable wages, affordable healthcare and a voice on the job.