ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Local tourism workers say they’re not making enough to make ends meet, and something needs to change.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

A union representing the workers said that none of them should be making any less than $18 an hour at companies such as Walt Disney World and Sodexo, and they also have proof that they need a raise.

Local 737 talked about the average cost of rent in Orlando, as well as car payments, food and child care, and said what these workers are making is not nearly enough.

READ: ‘I thought I was going to lose everything’: Stories behind Central Florida’s eviction crisis

Dozens of workers in the Central Florida tourism industry came out to talk about the cost of living.

“Only a $3 raise can get a worker and their family above water in this environment,” Local 737 President Jeremy Haicken said.

READ: These safety enhancements are coming to Orange County Public Schools

In an email to Channel 9, a Walt Disney World spokesperson said, “We continue to bargain in good faith and have presented a strong offer with meaningful wage increases that will give our cast members more money while creating a path to $20 an hour for starting wages for fulltime, non-tipped roles. If our offer is accepted, our wages will continue to outpace Florida minimum wage by at least $5 an hour.”

Channel 9 reached out to Sodexo as well but hasn’t heard back yet.

READ: Celebration family honors son’s organ donation with call-to-action tribute

VIDEO: Tourism workers make the case for minimum wage increase Tourism workers make the case for minimum wage increase

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

©2022 Cox Media Group