Walt Disney World in Florida has begun negotiations with the unions responsible for its 58,000-strong workforce to put together a new employment contract.

The existing three-year contract runs out on 2 October and the current economic climate - the worst in the US since the Great Depression - is likely to be a major factor in the outcome.

The Orlando Sentinel quoted Harris Raynor, president of the Service Trades Council, an umbrella group for six Disney unions, as saying: "[The economy] doesn't make things easier. I don't think anybody has seen an economy like this."

Steve Eisenhardt, vice president of labour relations for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, told the paper that pragmatism on both sides was vital. "I think the important thing in any labour negotiations, in good times and in difficult economic times, it's really a matter of being reasonable and realistic with each other," he said.

According to the Sentinel, Disney has proposed eliminating pensions for new employees and increasing the cap on hours worked by part-time employees, college students and international-programme workers — for whom Disney does not have to pay full-time benefits — to 40 per cent of all hours worked at the resort, up from a current limit of 35 per cent.

Union leaders then countered with proposals such as increasing guaranteed hours for full-time employees from 32 a week to 40 a week and restricting the hiring of international workers on certain temporary visas.

The two sides won't begin discussing wages and health insurance until late August. Disney currently pays anywhere from US$7.45 (£4.48) an hour for a beginning laundry helper or themed doorman to US$23.19 (£14.85) an hour for a veteran entertainment tech rigger.