Another rejection would pave the way for Disney to impose the contract against workers' will, a move that has happened just once at Disney World - with unionized musicians in the late 1980s. The musicians approved the contract days later. Disney's hard line and refusal to improve its offer may hurt workers' morale, according to UCF's Bogumil. Disney prides itself as a company that strives for peak performance. But the contract negotiations may leave workers feeling like Disney cares more about the bottom line, he said.
Some workers agree.
Costumed characters and parade performers felt the company's wrath after trying and failing to organize a mass sickout in recent weeks. Disney warned the characters they would be disciplined, even fired, if they called in sick. A doctor's note or other proof of an illness would be required to verify any illness. Even the unions didn't support the sickout. The current contract, which has been extended to Dec. 15, prohibits such a walkout.