Workers in California and throughout America have been trying to make $15 per hour the new national minimum wage for several years. While that hasn’t occurred yet, workers at Walt Disney World are going to receive that wage by 2021. That was the result of talks between the company and the Service Trades Council Union (STCU). In addition to a $15 per hour wage, employees are expected to receive a $1,000 bonus promised to them earlier in 2018.
Food service, custodial and park workers are covered by the new deal. Hotel workers are also going to receive the new higher wage that will grow incrementally until October 2021. Employees will also receive the greater of 3 percent or 50 cents per hour for all hours worked since September 2017. In July, Disney agreed to pay workers at Disney World $15 an hour after negotiations with union representatives for employees at that location.
Regardless of how an employer decides how much to pay its workers, it must be at or higher than the state minimum wage. While employers can generally determine what constitutes a workweek, they generally cannot average hours between multiple weeks to avoid paying overtime. Overtime is accrued for all hours more than 40 worked in a given workweek. If employees are not paid at or higher than the minimum wage, it may be possible to take legal action against an employer.
An attorney could review a case to determine if a worker was not paid in accordance with state law or an employment contract. If necessary, legal counsel can take steps in private talks or in court to compel payment. Those who work for a union may also choose to contact their union representative.
