That Union Thing

400 custodial workers at the University of Miami, represented by SEIU, have voted to go on strike when their contract expires on August 31 unless they receive more favorable contract terms.

The workers, who are employed by DTZ Inc., are demanding higher wages, but are being offered only a 10-cent a week age increase. The workers went on strike in 2006 to successfully demand union representation, and this is their third contract negotiation. Meanwhile, food service employees at the University recently won union representation and will soon begin negotiating with Chartwells Dining Services.

Walt Disney World has proposed a 16-month contract extension to Service Trades Council, a coalition of six unions that represent workers at the theme park. The proposal would guarantee wage increases of 3.5 percent. Disney hopes to buy time to see how the Affordable Care Act will effect them before entering formal negotiations. it is unclear whether there is sufficient employee support of the proposed extension.