At a meeting on Wednesday, September 27, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) Board of Supervisors announced a new employee and retiree benefit plan that will officially replace Walt Disney World’s annual pass program and other benefits. is likely to be discussed and approved.
CFTOD employees and retirees have traditionally received annual passes to Walt Disney World, as well as passes for family and friends and, in some cases, other Disney benefits. After receiving the bill from Walt Disney World, the district issued a press release in August saying it would eliminate the benefits, calling them “plans” and “benefits.” Later that day, a leaked email from District Administrator Glenn Gilzean Jr. revealed that the district had already ended the benefits without warning. At his next CFTOD board meeting, district firefighters spoke out against the decision, calling it a “soft blow” against them.
Board Chairman Martin Garcia said the program’s cancellation boils down to three points: The policy only benefits Walt Disney World, and larger families benefit more. It’s unfair to employees because they have access to a lot of money, and the policy could support something “illegal.” Private companies giving gifts to public officials.
Under the board’s original replacement policy, district employees would receive a one-time payment of $1,000 a year, but President Martin Garcia said he would evaluate a higher amount. The policy outlined in Minutes of September 27th meeting The amount of the scholarship is not listed. Some sources suggest it could be increased to $3,000.
The new policy will also expire in two years, on October 1, 2025. The entire policy is listed below. Please note that the title includes “Annual Admission Pass” although annual passes are not included in the program.
Employee and Retiree Benefits (Annual Admission Pass) Program [sic]
- policy
Pursuant to a previous agreement with Walt Disney World, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District provided eligible employees and retirees with annual admission passes to Walt Disney World. Annual admission passes were a privilege for employees and retirees, not a vested right. The pass program is subject to periodic review and may be modified or discontinued in whole or in part at the district’s discretion. Based on the elimination of the Entrance Pass Program described in the Benefits section of the 2011 Employee Policy Manual, the District will instead provide annual scholarships based on the following policies: - Limitations
Annual benefits are a privilege of employees and retirees, not a vested right. It will be reviewed periodically and may be modified or discontinued in whole or in part at the discretion of the school district. Scholarships do not guarantee admission to parks or events and do not include discounts on theme parks, restaurants, destinations, hotels, or merchandise. Annual Benefits in no way obligate the benefit recipient to purchase Walt Disney World Admission Passes or other products or services. Scholarship recipients may use the scholarship for any legal purpose of their choice at their discretion.
This policy applies to District employees unless the employee is subject to a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that specifically addresses these issues and contains terms that differ from this policy. Nothing in this policy is intended to limit a district’s inherent control rights under the CBA. If a specific provision of the CBA conflicts with this Policy, the provisions contained in the CBA shall prevail for Covered Bargaining Unit Employees. Otherwise, this policy shall not be superseded by any action of the District that modifies, replaces, and/or discontinues the policy/program/plan, or its terms and conditions unless expressly inconsistent with the policy/program/plan. Applies to all employees of the school district. Unless superseded by specific provisions of the CBA or by law. The annual scholarship amount is subject to annual budgeting and allocation by the District Board of Supervisors.
The Employee and Retiree Benefit Plan will be abolished upon the completion of the second fiscal year beginning October 1, 2023, unless re-adopted by the Board of Supervisors prior to its expiration date. Due to the end of the scholarship, the annual admission pass policy will not be reinstated. - Policy details
3.1 District administration is responsible for administering this policy.
3.2 Qualifications and distribution of employees
3.2.1 All full-time hourly employees will receive annual benefits for 90 days from the date of hire upon successful completion of the new employment probationary period.
3.2.2 Full-time salaried employees and salaried non-exempt employees are eligible to receive annual benefits for 90 days from the date of hire upon successful completion of the new employment probationary period.
3.2.3 Scholarships will be issued annually to eligible employees for each district fiscal year, subject to annual budgeting and allocation by the District Board of Supervisors.
3.2.4 Scholarships are subject to applicable withholding requirements.
3.2.5 The District may, in its sole discretion, engage third parties to distribute, pay, and/or provide scholarships for use in procuring theme park admission passes or other benefits that may later be provided. We may use the services of vendors or agents.
3.9 Qualification and distribution of retirees
3.9.1 An employee who has served the District continuously for at least 20 years and retires after the age of 55, or an employee who retires at any age after at least 30 years of continuous service with the District, will be eligible for retained scholarships. receive. Right before retirement, at the time of retirement.
3.9.2 Employees with at least 20 years of service to the District (but no more than 30 years) who retire before age 55 will receive the benefits they held immediately prior to retirement upon reaching age 55. 55.
3.9.3 Employees who are retiring due to permanent disability and who are 45 years of age or older and have been with the company for at least 10 years will receive their pre-retirement benefits at the time of retirement.
3.9.4 The spouse of a deceased retiree with 20 years or more of service will continue to be eligible to receive the annual benefit that the retiree had prior to death until the surviving spouse’s remarriage or death.
3.9.5 The spouse of a deceased employee will continue to be eligible to receive any annual benefits that the employee had prior to death until the end of the calendar year in which the employee died. Scholarships will not be renewed for the following year.
3.9.6 Retirement benefits are paid in January for the benefit plan year.
3.9.7 Scholarships are subject to applicable withholding requirements.
3.9.8 The School District, in its sole discretion, may use a third party to distribute, pay, and/or provide scholarships for use in procuring theme park admission passes and other benefits that may later be provided. We may use the services of other vendors or agents.
The CFTOD Board meeting will be held on September 27th at 5:05 pm in the Board Room on the 1st floor of the RCID Administration Building.
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