Walt Disney World, Unions in Agreement

After months of negotiations, Walt Disney World and leaders of its largest union group agreed to a tentative contract that could avert a strike at the theme park resort.

Most leaders of the Service Trades Council, a six-union coalition that represents 40% of the company’s 53,000-person workforce, will recommend that its members approve the three-year contract Nov. 11.

This week, union leaders had advised members to reject the latest proposal and authorize them to call a strike if further negotiations and mediation failed. But both sides found common ground during talks that lasted into Thursday night.

The contract covers hotel workers, costumed characters, bus drivers, ticket takers, ride operators and concession workers. Union members had rejected two previous proposals.