The New “Low Blow” By the Central Florida Tourism District

Now those affected speak out about what is really at stake with these limitations to benefits.

Benefits Limited

When the state of Florida dismantled the Reedy Creek Improvement District, they replaced it with the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD for short). This new board now governs Disney World with five board members appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

There have been some growing pains with this new change, and the most surprising happened just days ago. The CFTOD alleged that Disney offered benefits to employees simply as a “scheme” to funnel taxpayer money back to its own company. You can read more about this HERE.

Firefighters Speak Out

Today, during a Central Florida Tourism Oversight District meeting, many members of Reedy Creek services spoke out against the removal of their benefits citing that this new change is a “low blow” to the district’s public servants.

What appears to be the problem is that these benefits were already agreed upon by current employees and were earned by retired employees.

One firefighter shared, “This benefit is intangible and generational. We have retirees, some of them here today, who work their entire careers and work and earn this benefit for the rest of their lives. This allows me to bring my children to the parks and eventually my grandchildren.”

He continues, “When the district changed hands last year, we were told that our jobs and benefits were safe.” This most recent change makes that promise void now.

Pete Simon, a Reedy Creek firefighter shares, One member shared “This week marks the first brick being pulled in the dismantling of the district. My only question is, what’s next?”

“This week marks the first brick being pulled in the dismantling of the district. My only question is, what’s next?”

Pete Simon

It seems that the “What’s next?” question is the one that many of these district members are concerned about. Changes are bound to occur, but these benefits were originally promised to remain. It is clear that these employees did not see this as a scheme by Disney but as a true employee benefit.

What do you think of this change in benefits? Do you think that the CFTOD should honor these agreed-upon benefits? How do you think these current and retired employees should be compensated? Share your thoughts with us and share this news with a fellow Disney pal.