Disney workers to protest contract talks

Some members of Walt Disney World's Service Trades Council, a coalition of unions representing more than 20,000 full-time workers at the giant resort, will stage a demonstration this afternoon to protest stalled contract negotiations with the company.

The demonstrators, some of whom will be dressed up as Disney characters in outfits purchased from costume stores, will be at the Crossroads shopping plaza just beyond Disney World's eastern entrance on County Road 535 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.

Contract talks between Disney and the Trades Council began more than seven months ago but have been stalled since October, when workers voted down what Disney called its final offer. The two sides are scheduled to meet for a third time with a federal mediator next week.