SeaWorld Raising Starting Pay For Workers At Orlando Parks

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ORLANDO (CBSMiami/AP) - You might say it was an early holiday gift for the employees of SeaWorld.

On Wednesday, the company announced that it would raise the starting wage for hourly workers to $11 an hour from $10 an hour.

The pay increase takes effect Monday. The wage hike affects only the theme park company's Orlando parks — SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, and Discovery Cove.

A spokeswoman says the company is always evaluating pay rates and adjusting them to stay competitive.

In September, union workers at Walt Disney World approved a contract raising the starting minimum wage to $15 an hour over the next three years.

Last month, Universal Orlando Resort said starting pay for workers will increase to $12 an hour by February.

Of the three theme park resorts, only Disney World is unionized.

(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)