News Disney World Cast Member unions to begin week of negotiations for wage increases, healthcare costs and more

[Sirwalterraleigh]

While I agree to a certain extent is it increasing wages or “rich” outsiders moving into the area that are largely driving the housing prices to go up?

There’s no “wealth” in Orlando…that’s a myth that has been propogated by the chamber of commerce since 1985…

$0.90 on every $1 leads back to tourism in some way…which is why it’s quick boom and bust based on the NYSE…volatile.

But people want to believe is a land of “opportunity” and old money…it’s just self soothing.

They’re in an extended boom…which means it is U G L Y if the markets look for equilibrium

 

[Lilofan]

There’s no “wealth” in Orlando…that’s a myth that has been propogated by the chamber of commerce since 1985…

$0.90 oh every $1 leads back to tourism in some way…which is why it’s quick boom and bust based on the NYSE…volatile.

But people want to believe is a land of “opportunity” and old money…it’s just self soothing.

They’re in an extended boom…which means it is U G L Y if the markets look for equilibrium

I would say some of the money in Orlando are the upper 1% using Orlando as their primary residence to avoid paying state income tax among other things.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I would say some of the money in Orlando are the upper 1% using Orlando as their primary residence to avoid paying state income tax among other things.

Most states don’t allow the “second address” trick anymore…if they bother to enforce it

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I also am a foodie and what trash at times some places in FL sell as food. We definitely don't go to WDW for quality food. But cruising on DCL, that's foodie heaven for us while on vacation.

Oh…I’d like that on fire

But I hate to break it to you…but it’s probably the most overrated food at sea all things considering

 

[yensid67]

I am sorry, but Disney CAN afford $18 an hour for all CM's !!!! I am a former CM and I know first hand about how what they pay is not enough to live a decent life! If Walt was alive, you can bet your a** that he would be taking care of the CM's so they could have a decent wage to live! Its a lot different than the 1960's and 70's...it expensive to live ANYWHERE on your own. When I was a CM, CM's were roommates and an apartment usually consisted of 4+ CM's...I am surprised TDO did not have reduced housing for even dormitory style housing for its CM's. I always thought MSUSA would be a dormitory on the second and third floors with a back entrance and no access to the parks! I am dreaming!

C'mon Disney, CM's are the ones that are on the front lines making the Magic for your guests every day, despite not feeling well or not in a good mood for the day...we still wore those eerie happy faces! Give the CM's what they deserve for making YOUR pockets heavier! It's only fair! The executives should try to work a week or even 1 day and see how demanding their job really is than sitting in your plush offices thinking of more ways to nickel and dime the guests even more!

 

[jpinkc]

Maybe Disney should fire some HR and PR flacks. Trim some of the upper Management and think about REALISTIC PAY for the Executives!! Wait I forgot we still have a BOB in charge.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I am sorry, but Disney CAN afford $18 an hour for all CM's !!!! I am a former CM and I know first hand about how what they pay is not enough to live a decent life! If Walt was alive, you can bet your a** that he would be taking care of the CM's so they could have a decent wage to live! Its a lot different than the 1960's and 70's...it expensive to live ANYWHERE on your own. When I was a CM, CM's were roommates and an apartment usually consisted of 4+ CM's...I am surprised TDO did not have reduced housing for even dormitory style housing for its CM's. I always thought MSUSA would be a dormitory on the second and third floors with a back entrance and no access to the parks! I am dreaming!

C'mon Disney, CM's are the ones that are on the front lines making the Magic for your guests every day, despite not feeling well or not in a good mood for the day...we still wore those eerie happy faces! Give the CM's what they deserve for making YOUR pockets heavier! It's only fair! The executives should try to work a week or even 1 day and see how demanding their job really is than sitting in your plush offices thinking of more ways to nickel and dime the guests even more!

Ehhh…while I agree with you in spirit…

The reality is “decent life” has never been Disney labor concern. They built and operate in Florida to take advantage of traditional low standards. The fact it’s just as expensive (it really is)…is just more trouble for them - now more than ever.

But uncle Walt wanted to work his people into the ground…and was incensed when pay demands, unionization, etc showed up. Probably the worst part of his biography.

 

[WDWFanRay]

No disrespect to Disney employees or their unions, but as more of a generic question, How have incomes increased so much over the last three years? In 2018, Florida’s minimum wage was $8.25 an hour. Now even entry level jobs are starting at $17 an hour. I saw at Buc-ee’s that they start at $24 an hour. I made $5 an hour in the 1980’s at a local department store and hourly wages slowly rose to $8.25 but then, they suddenly more than doubled. I just don’t see where that money is coming from and, if businesses are able to pay that much per hour, why did America have to suffer for decades at much lower pay?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

No disrespect to Disney employees or their unions, but as more of a generic question, How have incomes increased so much over the last three years? In 2018, Florida’s minimum wage was $8.25 an hour. Now even entry level jobs are starting at $17 an hour. I saw at Buc-ee’s that they start at $24 an hour. I made $5 an hour in the 1980’s at a local department store and hourly wages slowly rose to $8.25 but then, they suddenly more than doubled. I just don’t see where that money is coming from and, if businesses are able to pay that much per hour, why did America have to suffer for decades at much lower pay?

The major operators…reading the tea leaves nationally…got ahead of the minimum pre-Covid by making announcements. It was good PR and they knew it would go there anyway.

So they’re not tied to the Florida minimum.

But what happened? People actually left the work force - across the board - during covid. That reversed decades long trends of nobody leaving and logjams at the Bottom rung.

So the worker had the power in a New York minute.

But now the prices of everything have been gouged (corporate media calls it “inflation” to not tick off their sponsors…but it’s gouging) and all their “Gains” are being immediately drained at the cash registers…sorry “Apple Pay touch points”

And now it’s circular. Prices up - higher pay - higher prices - more debt - calls for higher pay - higher prices

To infinity and beyond

 

[Rich Brownn]

No disrespect to Disney employees or their unions, but as more of a generic question, How have incomes increased so much over the last three years? In 2018, Florida’s minimum wage was $8.25 an hour. Now even entry level jobs are starting at $17 an hour. I saw at Buc-ee’s that they start at $24 an hour. I made $5 an hour in the 1980’s at a local department store and hourly wages slowly rose to $8.25 but then, they suddenly more than doubled. I just don’t see where that money is coming from and, if businesses are able to pay that much per hour, why did America have to suffer for decades at much lower pay?

The rate of inflation has been faster than salary increases, resulting in negative purchasing power for each dollar earned. Most profits nowdays go to CEOs and stock buybacks, something not the case in the early 80s.

 

[Andrew C]

The rate of inflation has been faster than salary increases,

Understatement of the decade.

 

[Lilofan]

No disrespect to Disney employees or their unions, but as more of a generic question, How have incomes increased so much over the last three years? In 2018, Florida’s minimum wage was $8.25 an hour. Now even entry level jobs are starting at $17 an hour. I saw at Buc-ee’s that they start at $24 an hour. I made $5 an hour in the 1980’s at a local department store and hourly wages slowly rose to $8.25 but then, they suddenly more than doubled. I just don’t see where that money is coming from and, if businesses are able to pay that much per hour, why did America have to suffer for decades at much lower pay?

Buc-ee’s start at $24 per hour?? Wow.

 

[Brian]

And what do people think is going to happen when the area's largest two employers raise wages for tens of thousands of employees?

This right here. Next to the CMs themselves and the company, there is nobody more invested in the outcome of the Disney wage negotiations than the corporations that own all the "luxury" apartments in the Orlando area. The moment Disney and the STCU agree to the raises, watch those raises get eaten up by an increase in rent prices.

 

[Brian]

Probably hoping to break the unified front, it’s a good incentive for those that already negotiated the wage they want, vote yes and start making your $20 or keep voting no and making $17 + eventually $1 in retroactive pay.

Every additional day they vote no costs them $16.

Reminds me of when they announced the $1,000 bonus to all U.S. based CMs back when the corporate tax rate was cut and a bunch of other companies were doing it. All the CMs celebrated, but then a few days later, the company tied the bonus for the represented CMs to the STCU negotiations that were already long underway.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

This right here. Next to the CMs themselves and the company, there is nobody more invested in the outcome of the Disney wage negotiations than the corporations that own all the "luxury" apartments in the Orlando area. The moment Disney and the STCU agree to the raises, watch those raises get eaten up by an increase in rent prices.

Not just them

They’re not the only buzzard circling the carcass

 

[Lilofan]

Not just them

They’re not the only buzzard circling the carcass

Pawn shops do a brisk business in Central FL when locals try to come up with cash.

 

[WDWFanRay]

Buc-ee’s start at $24 per hour?? Wow.

I wish I could post a photo of the billboard out front of Buc-ee’s. General manager starts at $175k to $225k, Car wash manager starts at $175k, Asst. managers at $100k. Look, it’s great that people are making this kind of money, but it seems unsustainable to me. It’s a gas station.

 

[the_rich]

I wish I could post a photo of the billboard out front of Buc-ee’s. General manager starts at $175k to $225k, Car wash manager starts at $175k, Asst. managers at $100k. Look, it’s great that people are making this kind of money, but it seems unsustainable to me. It’s a gas station.

It's a lot more than just a gas station.

 

[Brian]

It’s a gas station.

I have several questions:

 

[celluloid]

Those Publix Subs and WaWa hoagies are going to go to 9 bucks darnit. They will still be worth it.