Patina workers joined forces to demand a fair contract at Patina restaurants at the Italy Pavilion, as well as a fair process to organize a union at Patina restaurants in Disney Springs.

Patina Group March

Approximately 200 UNITE HERE Local 737 members and supporters held a rally and march to demand a good life for Patina Group restaurant workers, including a fair process to organize at nonunion Patina’s restaurants at Disney Springs and a strong new contract at Patina’s unionized restaurants in the EPCOT Italy Pavilion.

“At the end of the day, my coworkers and I deserve to be treated like people with full lives, people who have more going on than just work,” said AJ Meeks, a Patina worker at The Edison in Disney Springs. “We want Patina to treat us the way we know we deserve to be treated. That’s why we’re fighting for a fair process to organize.”

Unionized workers from Tutto Italia, Tutto Gusto, and Via Napoli continued pressing for a contract that improves their lives and futures, including $8 raises over three years, free family health insurance, a pension they can retire on, and a 20% automatic gratuity. Nonunion workers from The Edison, Maria and Enzo’s, Enzo’s Hideaway, Pizza Ponte, and Morimoto Asia called for a fair process to organize.

“I love to cook. I put my heart into everything that I make, and it brings me joy to see other people eat my food. But loving my job doesn’t pay the bills. That’s why we’re fighting in our contract negotiations for big changes – because all of us deserve a good life,” said Jennifer Quiñonez, a cook at Patina’s Italy Pavilion restaurants.

Workers marched toward the corner of State Road 535 and Hotel Plaza Boulevard. Union members who work for Disney also joined the march.

“It makes me so angry to hear what Patina workers experience. It’s not good for any of us when people who work so nearby get lower wages, no pension, or no union protections, especially when they’re serving the same guests who come to Disney,” said Henry Allen Torres, a shop steward and Assistant Sous Chef in Disney’s Magic Kingdom. “We’re all in it together.”

The march highlighted both fights with Patina restaurants at Disney Springs and in the Italy Pavilion and showed united support for all Patina workers who are demanding the good life they deserve.

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