From today's LA Times.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-theme-park-perks-20180817-story.html
>>The importance of seemingly frivolous perks was evident during recent contract negotiations at the Disneyland Resort. Among the extras that unions representing 9,700 Disneyland and California Adventure workers were adamant about keeping was an added allotment of park passes to be used during the holidays — a perk the company has offered for years.
“Our members have been used to those perks,” said Denise Anderson, who is in charge of purchasing in the entertainment costuming department at Disneyland. “We wanted to let them know that that is something our cast members work for.”
The contract dispute was resolved last month with pay increases and an agreement that the resort can cut perks for union workers only if the cuts apply to all employees, including managers.
Disneyland representatives confirmed that the so-called Disney Family Holiday Celebration — a time during the holidays when employees get extra park passes — will take place this year but have yet to announce details, such as dates.
More formal employee benefits — such as health and dental coverage, sick leave, paid vacations and retirement plans — amount to about 30% of a worker’s overall compensation package, according to labor experts.
But things such as free park passes and employee parties, theme park workers say, make their jobs more attractive than any other jobs in the hospitality or tourism industries.
“When I was a front-line employee, what kept me coming back were the perks,” said Neal Thurman, president of Six Flags Magic Mountain, who started his career as a ride operator at sister park Six Flags Over Georgia. “They are important.”<<
>>Free passes can be worth thousands of dollars a year, depending on how often they are used and how many passes are given to each worker. The number is usually higher for salaried employees than hourly workers and often increases with each year on the job.
Park passes, which are part of the perks package for all Walt Disney Co. employees, are valued at about $12,000 a year for entry-level workers (who start with 16 tickets and may bring guests) and can be even higher for the most senior, full-time employees, the Burbank entertainment giant estimated.<<
>>The February contest is a favorite for David Atkins, a manager at the Disneyland Resort’s custodial department.
“It’s what separates this,” he said, “from a job at a mall.”<<
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-theme-park-perks-20180817-story.html
>>The importance of seemingly frivolous perks was evident during recent contract negotiations at the Disneyland Resort. Among the extras that unions representing 9,700 Disneyland and California Adventure workers were adamant about keeping was an added allotment of park passes to be used during the holidays — a perk the company has offered for years.
“Our members have been used to those perks,” said Denise Anderson, who is in charge of purchasing in the entertainment costuming department at Disneyland. “We wanted to let them know that that is something our cast members work for.”
The contract dispute was resolved last month with pay increases and an agreement that the resort can cut perks for union workers only if the cuts apply to all employees, including managers.
Disneyland representatives confirmed that the so-called Disney Family Holiday Celebration — a time during the holidays when employees get extra park passes — will take place this year but have yet to announce details, such as dates.
More formal employee benefits — such as health and dental coverage, sick leave, paid vacations and retirement plans — amount to about 30% of a worker’s overall compensation package, according to labor experts.
But things such as free park passes and employee parties, theme park workers say, make their jobs more attractive than any other jobs in the hospitality or tourism industries.
“When I was a front-line employee, what kept me coming back were the perks,” said Neal Thurman, president of Six Flags Magic Mountain, who started his career as a ride operator at sister park Six Flags Over Georgia. “They are important.”<<
>>Free passes can be worth thousands of dollars a year, depending on how often they are used and how many passes are given to each worker. The number is usually higher for salaried employees than hourly workers and often increases with each year on the job.
Park passes, which are part of the perks package for all Walt Disney Co. employees, are valued at about $12,000 a year for entry-level workers (who start with 16 tickets and may bring guests) and can be even higher for the most senior, full-time employees, the Burbank entertainment giant estimated.<<
>>The February contest is a favorite for David Atkins, a manager at the Disneyland Resort’s custodial department.
“It’s what separates this,” he said, “from a job at a mall.”<<
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