Bob Iger’s pay is ‘insane,’ Disney family member says

New York CNN Business — Disney CEO Bob Iger made nearly $66 millionlast year, and a Disney family member thinks that’s “insane.” Abigail Disney, the granddaughter of company co-founder Roy Disney, criticized Iger’s multimillion dollar pay in several tweets on Sunday. Disney, who also complimented Iger as “brilliant,” questioned the $1,000 cash bonus that the company gave to 125,000 employees last year because of the new tax law. And if the tax cut makes a bonus possible and that tax cut is permanent doesn’t it stand to reason you could have given a raise instead?” While acknowledging “complicated” math, Disney proposed spreading around half of Iger’s pay and some of executives bonuses, further saying on Twitter that the company “could move significant resources down the line to more evenly share in the great success.” She wrapped her criticism saying the company should “at least respect the dignity of those you pay.” “If what they do is necessary to conducting your business successfully, then they deserve to be paid what they need to conduct their lives successfully. She has previously said CEOs are “paid far too much,” saying that “if your CEO salary is at the 700, 600, 500 times your median workers’ pay, there is nobody on Earth, Jesus Christ himself isn’t worth 500 times his median workers’ pay.” Disney, the company, said in a statement Monday that it has made “historic investments” in its workers’ pay and benefits, including education initiatives that allow hourly employees the ability to earn a college or vocational degree “completely free of charge.” The company also defended Iger’s pay, which it said is “90% performance-based.” “He has delivered exceptional value for shareholders: Disney’s market capitalization has grown exponentially over the last decade, rising $75 billion in the last month alone, and the stock price has increased to $132 a share from $24 a share when Mr. Iger became CEO in 2005,” a Disney spokesperson told CNN Business.