Credit: DisneyOn Tuesday, Patina Group workers announced they have authorized a vote to strike over working conditions at Walt Disney World Resort restaurants, including locations in the Italy World Showcase Pavilion at EPCOT. If the strike passes, their strike would be the first-ever inside a Walt Disney World Resort theme park, and guests could see employees on the picket line during their visits.
During a press conference on August 26, UNITE HERE Local 737 and the Patina Group workers said their employer “failed to make adequate progress in contract negotiations.” Walt Disney World Resort is not associated with these discussions–the Patina Group restaurants are owned by a subsidiary of the Delaware North company. Patina Group operates several restaurants at EPCOT and Disney Springs.
According to the employee and union-made Disney World Food Alert website, the scheduled strike vote impacts workers in three Italy World Showcase Pavilion dining locations at EPCOT: Tutto Italia Ristorante, Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar, and Via Napoli Ristorante E Pizzeria. If members vote yes, the bargaining committee could authorize a strike anytime after their current contract expires on September 30, 2025.
Patina Group employees at Walt Disney World Resort first unionized last year, citing “second-class working conditions” in the third-party restaurants. In July, the workers filed a formal complaint against the Delaware North-owned Patina Group.
Patina Group also owns Space 220 at EPCOT and the following Disney Springs dining locations: The Edison, Enzo’s Hideaway, Maria and Enzo’s, Morimoto Asia, and Pizza Ponte. A strike would not impact these locations; the official website states that “there is an active worker organizing effort” and to “stay alert for possible labor conflict.”
Employees from the third-party Italy World Showcase Pavilion restaurants at EPCOT have not yet voted to strike. Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t commented publicly on these labor negotiations.
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