Disney's EPCOT One Step Closer to Park-Wide Strike as Employees Turn Violent

As the scent of wood-fired pizza and espresso floats through EPCOT’s Italy Pavilion, a far more bitter story is simmering just beneath the surface. The Patina Group, operator of several high-profile restaurants across Walt Disney World, is facing increasing pressure from its unionized workforce—and now, a newly reported incident may have just turned up the heat.

In recent weeks, union representatives from UNITE HERE Local 737 announced a strike vote among Patina Group employees, a bold move that could lead to the first-ever strike inside a Disney World theme park. But now, that growing conflict has taken a more personal and troubling turn, as the union claims one of its organizers was physically pushed by a manager inside a working EPCOT restaurant.

The altercation, which allegedly occurred inside Tutto Italia Ristorante, is only the latest development in what has become a heated dispute between workers, their parent company, and—by proximity and reputation—The Walt Disney Company itself.

Patina Group: Disney’s Culinary Power Player

For the average Disney guest, the name “Patina Group” might not ring any bells. But this hospitality group, a subsidiary of Delaware North, has its fingerprints all over the Disney dining landscape. Patina operates some of the most visible and unique restaurants throughout both EPCOT and Disney Springs.

At EPCOT’s Italy Pavilion, Patina Group runs:

• Tutto Italia Ristorante: A full-service restaurant offering elevated Italian fare in a classic, mural-lined setting.

• Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar: A cozy, tucked-away lounge serving artisanal Italian wines and small plates.

• Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria: A beloved pizza house famed for its authentic wood-fired Neapolitan pies and larger-than-life ovens shaped like Mount Vesuvius.

• As well as in EPCOT, Space 220 Restaurant: A visually stunning, immersive dining experience that simulates a meal in Earth’s orbit.

Beyond EPCOT, Patina is also responsible for several flagship restaurants at Disney Springs, including:

• Morimoto Asia: A sleek, high-end Pan-Asian experience from Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto.

• The Edison: A sprawling, steampunk-inspired gastropub with live music, cocktails, and cabaret-style performances.

• Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante and Enzo’s Hideaway: Two thematically rich Italian venues tied together by a 1930s aviation narrative.

• Pizza Ponte: A quick-service favorite for New York-style slices and casual eats.

Together, these nine locations form a major piece of the Disney dining puzzle. That makes Patina’s current labor issues not only a problem for its own reputation but a potential disruption to the guest experience—especially during a high-traffic season for EPCOT and Disney Springs.

Unionization and the Road to Conflict

Workers at Patina Group first unionized last year under the umbrella of UNITE HERE Local 737, citing what they called “second-class working conditions.” The union has since been vocal in its efforts to demand better treatment for employees, including higher wages, job security, and protection against workplace misconduct.

Earlier in 2025, the union circulated a petition demanding the reinstatement of a worker who was reportedly terminated after filing a sexual harassment complaint against a supervisor. Since then, worker concerns have escalated further.

In July, the union filed a formal complaint with The Walt Disney Company, asserting that Patina had violated Disney’s own Supply Chain Code of Conduct—a document meant to ensure third-party vendors uphold values such as workplace safety, lawful conduct, freedom of association, and protection against abuse and harassment.

The Strike Vote: Unprecedented and Imminent

In late August, union representatives made headlines by announcing a strike vote among workers at the three Patina-operated restaurants in EPCOT’s Italy Pavilion. With their current contract expiring on September 30, the vote would authorize the union’s bargaining committee to call a strike at any time after that date if negotiations fail.

If the strike proceeds, it would mark the first time in Walt Disney World history that unionized workers have gone on strike inside the theme park gates. And while Disney itself does not directly manage these restaurants, it would be impossible for the company to avoid the public spotlight if picket lines appear inside EPCOT’s World Showcase.

The Incident at Tutto Italia

Now, as the clock ticks toward that September 30 deadline, the union has made a serious allegation against Patina Group management.

In a recent media release, UNITE HERE Local 737 stated that a union organizer named Wesny Theophin was physically pushed by a manager while performing legally protected duties inside Tutto Italia Ristorante. The union characterized the incident as both inappropriate and potentially unlawful.

Here is the full statement shared by the union:

“Days after workers and their union announced a strike vote, a Patina Group manager physically pushed a union organizer who was performing his legally protected representational job duties at a restaurant inside Disney’s EPCOT Theme Park.”

Theophin, who is Haitian-born and a vocal advocate for worker dignity and safety, also issued a powerful response:

“It is so important for me that the Haitian workers in this kitchen are respected at work. That is part of why I am a union organizer. So to be treated this way, and to have a white manager lay a hand on me, is a slap in the face – not just for me, but for all the other Haitian people in the restaurant who deserve to be treated with respect.”

 

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The incident has reportedly been referred to Disney security for review. There is currently no public response from Patina Group or Disney regarding this claim.

What Comes Next?

With tensions running high, the situation could soon reach a boiling point. If no contract is signed and a strike is called, Disney could find itself managing both a PR crisis and operational chaos during one of the busiest seasons at EPCOT. Dining reservations, guest experiences, and even special events in World Showcase could all be affected.

Furthermore, this story adds to broader questions about Disney’s accountability for the behavior of its third-party vendors. Patina Group may operate independently, but in the eyes of many guests, any misconduct within a Disney park reflects directly on the Mouse.

This is more than just a labor dispute—it’s a battle over respect, representation, and responsibility within one of the most carefully curated environments in the world. For the union, the upcoming weeks may be critical in shaping the future of workplace standards for contracted Disney employees.

For Patina Group, and perhaps even for Disney, the stakes are much higher than one kitchen altercation. This could redefine how labor relations unfold across all of Walt Disney World—especially as guests, Cast Members, and media alike are watching closely.

Stay tuned to Inside the Magic for continued updates as this story develops and new details emerge.