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Disney workers lobbying for better contracts By MIKE BRANOM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ORLANDO, Fla. — Walt Disney World’s largest union, upset over stalled contract negotiations, took its arguments direcdy to tourists Tuesday, handing out leaflets at Orlando International Airport. The Service Trades Council Union, representing 22,000 of the theme park’s 53,000 employees, recently has taken to publicly showing its unhappiness over talks that began in March. Earlier this month, union leaders distributed fliers at the opening of a World of Disney store in New York and at a Disney on Ice show in Philadelphia. “Our concern is to get a fair contract, and we will take our story wherever we have to, to whomever we have to, however we have to, to encourage Disney to be reasonable at the bargaining table,” Morty Miller, president of the union UNITE HERE! Local 362, one of six unions comprising the Service Trades Council Union, said. Union officials oppose the elimination of some overtime provisions, a significant increase in the cost of health care insurance and a proposal to not offer new hires a 40IK plan instead of a pension plan. The union’s workers, employed as everything from hotel maids to ticket takers to costumed characters, resoundingly rejected, 3,659 votes to 96, Disney’s last offer of a three-year contract earlier this month. Talks are to resume Wednesday, according to Disney spokeswoman Jacquee Polak. The old contract has been extended to Nov. 4. “Right now, we’re focusing on common ground,” Polak said. “We’re proposed a fair and competitive package. Unfortunately, these are difficult discussions, particularly when you’re dealing with the national crisis of rising health care costs.” —p*^__j THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Disney employee Patti Smith, right, talks with airline passenger Charles Bonetto, of Chicago, about the labor issues that Disney employees are having with the company, while passing out information sheets, at Orlando International Airport in Orlando, Fla.. ■ FLAG Continued from page 1 show school spirit someone decide to fly the Confederate flag,” Washington said in his opening statement. “To me, the Confederate flag represents hate, represents slavery and represents a history of depression and wrong doing.” During the first 30 minutes of the debate, the moderator asked questions and candidates had four minutes to respond. “I don’t think the Confederate flag represents racism,” Calder said. “I think if you look at all flags from around the world you can connote that all flags symbolize that in one way or another.” After the moderator’s questions, the debate shifted into the two candidates asking each other questions. Calder asked Washington how for he would go into putting the Confederate flag off the state grounds and into a museum. “In putting the Confederate flag in the museum, I am not saying that you put it in some square box and hide behind the dinosaurs,” Washington replied. “... I just want to get it off the State House grounds.” The debate then moved into an audience question and answer session where the two speakers were asked questions from both sides on the issue, including how to resolve it. “That flag means a lot to me, but I don’t think this state can move forward until we truly understand where each side is coming from,” Calder said. “We need to have mutual dialogue.” The debate ended as both candidates shook hands and a wave of applause filled the room of 200 people. “Terrence is a class act guy and to me, sometimes debates can be personal attacks, but this was “The best thing about doing this debate was the people coming up to you after the debate saying that they really didn’t agree with you, but now they really see what you are saying.” JARRETT CALDER SECOND-YEAR POLITICAL SCIENCE AND PHILOSOPHY STUDENT different,” Calder said. “The best thing about doing this debate was the people coming up to you after the debate saying that they really didn’t igree with you, but now they really iee what you are saying.” Comments on this story? E-mail ramecocbieivs@gwm.se. edu BATTLEGROUND, IOWA mmmm i i i i a aa i HANNAH VAN ZUTPHEN-KANN/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Ashton Kutcher speaks to University of Iowa students at a Hubbard Park. Kutcher told the crowd that Bush punk’d him into voting for him four years ago, and it will not happen again. Mon. & Wed. 5:30 - 6:45p.m. For USC Students, Faculty, & Staff Free Medications Included Space is Limited Health & Wellness WClII 4I.JU“WMI\C to reserve your space Specify “On-Campus USC Class” *7? 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