Disney World firefighters speak out against DeSantis' CFTOD stripping employees and retirees of their Disney annual pass benefits

Aug 23, 2023 in "Reedy Creek Improvement District"

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Posted: Wednesday August 23, 2023 10:00am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Firefighters at Walt Disney World are speaking out this morning against Central Florida Tourism Oversight District plans to strip employees and retirees of their Walt Disney World Annual Pass benefits.

Reedy Creek Improvement District overview

Earlier this week, CFTOD CEO Glen Gilzean announced that the district will immediately suspend Walt Disney World Annual Pass benefits to its employees, including firefighters.

One firefighter speaking in the public comments of today's board meeting said, "This benefit is intangible and generational. We have retirees, some of them here today, that work their entire careers and work and earn this benefit for the rest of their lives. This allows me to bring my children to the parks and eventually my grandchildren." He continued, "When the district changed hands last year, we were told that our jobs and our benefits were safe."

Another Firefighter said, "It seems that this current board is doing everything possible to dismantle what has already been agreed upon for the current employees. And the what was earned by the retirees."

In response, CFTOD chairman Martin Garcia said that the Walt Disney World annual pass benefit was unfair to other taxpayers in the district and that the board would pay employees $1425 instead of the Disney passes. He admitted that some employees may be better off on the new scheme, and others with large families who used the passes, will be worse off.

According to the CFTOD, Disney's latest bill was for almost $500,000 to cover tickets used by Reedy Creek Improvement District employees in Q1 FY2022.

Theme park benefits are common among many organizations in the Central Florida area, with Disney providing group rates and other discounts for employers to make access to the parks a perk of their employment.

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JoeCamelSep 04, 2024

Juicy

DCBakerSep 04, 2024

The CFTOD has added a Board of Supervisors meeting next Wednesday, September 11, at 7pm. Here's the published agenda:

V_L_RaptorAug 10, 2024

I'm sensing an opportunity for Super High Intensity Training, here.

flyakiteAug 09, 2024

I am not sure if this is relevant to anyone anymore. So if not, sorry for the bump.

cranbizJul 30, 2024

Don't forget eNPS.

pdude81Jul 30, 2024

Don't taze me, bro

Nubs70Jul 30, 2024

Ack!!!!! That one is the worst..... I see your NPS and taise you a SalesForce

Batman'sParentsJul 30, 2024

https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2024/07/29/disney-attorney-roy-payne-fishback-dominick.html?cx_testId=40&cx_testVariant=cx_11&cx_artPos=1#cxrecs_s or for those who can't see past the paywall: The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District's supervisor board voted July 24 to bring on attorney Roy Payne as in-house counsel. Until now, the entity that governs Walt Disney World property in Orlando had Fishback Dominick law firm on retainer. Stephanie Kopelousos, district administrator since March, said the district needs someone who can provide consistent, on-site legal guidance, which external counsel cannot always offer. Board members echoed the sentiment that having an in-house counsel like Payne would ensure the district's legal needs are met more effectively. “When I came in, I thought it was important for our team to have someone here day to day,” she said. Before introducing Payne, Kopelousos said she had conducted a search with help from Craig Mateer, the most recent addition to the board. Payne, who until now was chief assistant city attorney for Orlando, got the job in part due to his 33 years as a lawyer for local government. "The district, as you know, is a very unique animal,” Payne said. “It's a special kind of organization ... The learning curve is a little more than I was expecting because things are done quite differently here than in your typical municipal corporation or county, but it's been refreshing to be a part of this." The district’s latest approach to legal counsel is not a reflection on the quality of services provided by Winter Park-based Fishback Dominick, said Vice Chair Charbel Barakat. Crediting attorneys Kurt Ardaman and Daniel Langley of Fishback — who attended the board meeting — for putting the puzzle pieces of the district in place, he said, "You all have helped us build policies and procedures that have made this a best-in-practice, best-in-breed government going forward. We're going to continue to build on that work and the foundation you all have built." The district's board members were appointed last year by Gov. Ron DeSantis to replace the Reedy Creek Improvement District special government as part of a year-long feud between the governor and Disney. Board members said Ardaman and Langley will help transition the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District from outside special counsel to in-house general counsel, particularly concerning ethical and conflict-of-interest issues. Payne said he already has a prior relationship with Fishback Dominick, having worked with the firm on cases during his tenure with Orlando.

JoeCamelJul 30, 2024

Gee I haven't checked my Net Promoter Score lately.......

Nubs70Jul 30, 2024

While a little buzz wordyish.... KPI's are at least measurable.

Nubs70Jul 30, 2024

You either have one or have been victimized by one that does.

mktJul 30, 2024

Unfortunately, I am currently bandwidth-constrained and unable to allocate resources to this task. Let's touch base later to reassess priorities. Understood. We'll ensure our communication is both robust and paradigm-shifting to adhere to best practices and maintain a gold standard. Indeed, they're strategically right-sizing to optimize individual cast member potential, thereby enhancing overall operational efficiency and maximizing ROI.