Maintenance Workers at Worlds of Fun Ratify Strongest Contract in Group’s History After Months of Negotiations

KANSAS CITY, MO — Today, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1 maintenance working people who ensure guest satisfaction and safety at Worlds of Fun, Oceans of Fun, and Worlds of Fun Village overwhelmingly voted to ratify a strong new contract after months of negotiations and member-led actions. The 3-year contract covering all maintenance workers at the park includes three years of guaranteed raises – including retroactive pay for 2024 to cover the hours worked during the extended bargaining –, increased paid leave and additional protections around use of that paid leave, guaranteed life insurance and company profit-sharing retirement contributions, and a guaranteed minimum 10 hours of rest time between shifts. 

Additionally, Local 1 members successfully defeated company subcontracting proposals that could have undermined job security, won new language around breaks, heat protection and recovery, availability of first aid supplies, and increased safety training and involvement in OSHA inspections. Members also won language around limitations on workplace surveillance, use of social media for disciplinary purposes, and use of personally owned devices for work purposes. 

This historic victory for the working people at Worlds of Fun comes after months of negotiations and actions that included rallies, attending bargaining sessions – the longest being 21 hours –, and continuous efforts by Local 1 members to fight until a fair contract was negotiated – including a 95% turnout for the ratification vote. 

“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.”

“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.”