Discovery Cove ordered to post labor law violation notice following union dispute
Discovery Cove has been ordered by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to post a notice informing employees that the park violated federal labor law after refusing to recognize and bargain with a newly certified union representing its maintenance divers.
The order stems from a dispute between Discovery Cove and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 30, which represents divers and dive technicians who maintain the park’s aquatic habitats.
Notice is for employees
According to the NLRB’s July 22 decision, Discovery Cove unlawfully refused to bargain with the union after the union was certified and also declined to provide information such as wage histories, performance review procedures, and more, which was requested during bargaining. The board ordered the company to recognize the union, begin bargaining in good faith, provide the requested information and post a notice informing employees of their rights under federal labor law.
The order also provides new details about how Discovery Cove must comply. Within 14 days, the company must post a notice for 60 consecutive days in conspicuous locations where employee notices are customarily displayed and distribute it electronically if it typically communicates with employees that way.
The notice begins, “The National Labor Relations Board has found that we violated Federal labor law and has ordered us to post and obey this notice,” before outlining employees’ rights and the company’s obligation to bargain with the union in good faith.
The notice will be posted in employee areas where workplace notices are customarily displayed and is not intended as a guest-facing sign.
The ruling was first highlighted by labor news site On the Labor Front on July 24 and was later reported locally by Orlando Weekly.
The required notice is intended for employees and is typically posted in workplace areas, not in guest-facing locations.
Photo by Dani Meyering
Divers voted to unionize in 2025
The case follows a unanimous vote by Discovery Cove and Aquatica divers in 2025 to join the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 30, creating the first unionized employee group at the Orlando parks. The union has argued that management delayed negotiations despite certification by the NLRB.
Discovery Cove challenged the bargaining unit and raised several procedural and constitutional arguments, but the NLRB rejected those claims and ruled the company must move forward with collective bargaining.
Latest legal challenge for United Parks & Resorts
While the ruling specifically involves Discovery Cove’s operations, the park shares ownership with SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens, Aquatica, and other parks under United Parks & Resorts.
The company is currently facing several other high-profile legal challenges. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Justice sued United Parks & Resorts, alleging its policy prohibiting guests from using wheeled walkers with seats, commonly known as rollators, violates the Americans with Disabilities Act. The lawsuit seeks policy changes, damages, and civil penalties.
United Parks & Resorts is also defending a lawsuit filed by Sesame Workshop, which alleges the company breached its long-running licensing agreement for Sesame Street attractions through unpaid royalties and other contractual disputes. The company has denied the allegations and said it intends to defend itself in court.
Discovery Cove’s guest experience
The labor dispute comes as Discovery Cove continues to earn praise from travelers despite its behind-the-scenes legal challenges.
Photo by Attractions Magazine
The all-inclusive day resort has consistently ranked among Florida’s highest-rated attractions on major travel platforms thanks to its limited attendance, animal encounters, tropical setting, and premium guest experience. It remains one of Central Florida’s most acclaimed parks, offering experiences such as dolphin swims, snorkeling through The Grand Reef, hand-feeding tropical birds, and relaxing on white-sand beaches.
We recently reported on a Sudoku Bliss study analyzing Google search interest, Tripadvisor reviews, and Instagram engagement. Discovery Cove ranked No. 13 among the nation’s most popular theme parks.
United Parks & Resorts has not publicly commented on the NLRB’s latest ruling.
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“Limited attendance” BUT look at that crowd of people at the flamingos. And one of them has a plastic shopping bag right next to an animal! Those aren’t even supposed to be allowed in the park. There’s an employee behind him, in the distance. She’s probably so freaking burned out she didn’t even clock the bag. Hope it didn’t end up blowing around in the wind. I’ve seen balloons and bags almost make it into the animal pools.
The reality is, poor management leading to unsafe situations and burnout and insane turnover has greatly degraded the quality of this park and certainly taken it away from its original intended purpose. I am old enough to have gone both to the “old” Discovery Cove and the one it is now are two very ,very different things! And to make up for it, instead of fixing things or cleaning house of bad leaders, they just cram more and more guests into the park and try to think of more and more ways to squeeze dimes out of the animals. Its just Aquatica in better makeup nowadays.
The crowd is due to it being a media event for the opening of the flamingo area. Regardless, appreciate your candor and adding to the discussion.