The Orlando Sentinel is reporting that the union representing custodial cast members at Walt Disney World is upset with a program called “Custodial of Tomorrow,” which begins a two month test at the Magic Kingdom starting on Sunday.
The program will have custodial cast members check-out iPhones that will track their location and give the cast member directions to complete necessary tasks. Sensors will alert a nearby cast member after a certain number of people have used a restroom or if a trash can is 2/3 full so that they can preemptively address typical theme park custodial challenges.
Disney shared a statement saying, “this new approach will enable us to deploy Cast Members in real time, to areas that need service, ultimately making the Cast and Guest experiences even better.”
Unite Here Local 362 does not approve of the plan, primarily based on the grounds that by assigning tasks by need and location, it removes seniority preference from task assignment.
To protest, on Halloween about a dozen cast members delivered a pumpkin that said “Rest in peace, seniority” to Magic Kingdom vice president Dan Cockerell.