Union Worlds of Fun agree to contract after months of negotiation

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After agreeing on a tentative contract last week and months of negotiations, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1 voted to ratify a new contract to improve guest experience and safety at Worlds of Fun, Oceans of Fun and Worlds of Fun Village.
The three-year contract will cover all maintenance workers for guaranteed raises (including retroactive pay for the hours worked during the negotiations), increased paid leave and protections for paid leave, guaranteed life insurance, profit-sharing retirement contributions and a guaranteed minimum of 10 hours of rest time in between shifts.
Also, the union members were successful in the sense they won new language about breaks, heat protection, first aid supplies, increased safety training and OSHA inspections.
The union’s victory came after rallies and bargaining sessions, one of which lasted 21 hours.
“I couldn’t be more proud of my coworkers and the way we handled these negotiations. This victory is a perfect example of what happens when working people come together and realize the power we have when we are united,” said Don Kincaid, Local 1 member and Carpenter at Worlds of Fun.
“Towards the beginning of negotiations, we were not taken seriously. But being able to provide for our families is serious, being able to pay the bills is serious, and I and my coworkers were serious about winning a contract that shows us the respect we deserve.”
Union leaders were pleased with the victory as well, highlighting the determination of working men and women.
“Local 1 members at Worlds of Fun were loud and clear: when working people fight, working people win,” said Chris Rak, SEIU Local 1 Director of Missouri and Southern Illinois.
“Local 1 members at this shop worked tirelessly to win a contract that would help them thrive, not just survive. Local 1 is a proud member-led Union and members at Worlds of Fun showed just how powerful working people can be when they are united. Missouri’s working families deserve to be respected at work and I believe this struggle and victory will resonate with workers all over Kansas City and beyond.”