After cheering and chanting at a union meeting in Kissimmee Wednesday night, the fight for a $15 an hour minimum wage began for thousands of hourly workers at Walt Disney World.

  • Six unions to push for higher wages at Walt Disney World
  • Unions want $15 an hour minimum wage
  • Disney says they will put forth a "fair, equitable" package

“It’s not a living wage," said Susan Eaton, a full-time parking hostess at Magic Kingdom who makes $10 an hour.

“I’m here to fight for what we deserve," said Disney cast member Travis Joyner.

Those feelings are also shared by Boletha Jarrett, who has worked various jobs at Disney's Hollywood Studios for 22 years.

“It’s been a struggle because I am a diabetic," Jarrett explained. "My husband is a diabetic and we have to choose between buying that medicine or paying a bill so that we can live OK, pay a light bill or pay a car note so that I can get to Walt Disney World."

Jarrett also pointed out it's not a cheap commute and she’ll likely never be able to afford an alternative, like walking to work.

“Because you know there’s no direct transportation, there’s no houses around there, and the houses that are around there are very expensive and we’re not in that category that we can afford them houses," Jarrett continued.

“I’m a housekeeper. I work at Animal Kingdom Lodge and I only work for $10.50 an hour and I’ve been with the company for five years. It’s not enough for me, guys. It’s not enough for me," said Disney cast member Yvette Garcia.

Leaders from six different unions have joined together in this request.

Union leaders said there are no plans to strike but it is a chip on the bargaining table for more than 36,000 workers who are standing united.

"I believe that with all of those cast members united and six unions, we can achieve the standard of living that we deserve, even without that strike," Jeremy Cruz-Haicken said.

Easton is also looking forward to the day she won’t have to depend on overtime to pay her bills.

“I shouldn’t have to be working that overtime, no one should have to," Easton said

Negotiations begin on Aug. 28.

We reached out of Disney about the upcoming negotiations.

A spokesperson said via email: “We plan to put forth an overall employment package that is fair and equitable for the cast and the company.”