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

[Vegas Disney Fan]

This is very fair reading/post of the situation.

Does lowering the grooming standards help Disney increase its potential labor pool, arguably lowering pressure on wages? Absolutely.

Does it represent a more "progressive" view on employment/grooms standards? I am not so sure, based upon below.

Country wide I think you see a general change from formality of dress. Most businesses have moved away from formal suits in office settings to more business casual office dress. You don't see people in their "Sunday Best" with suits/dresses/head coverings in church anymore. I think I can count on one hand, even in downtown Manhattan the number of restaurants where you need jackets/formal dress, let alone outside of major cities. I really don't think you are seeing Disney not caring about grooming standards, but you are seeing them bring such standards more into what society as a whole sees them. I mean sure when Disney was first open, many people saw tattoos as something that bikers and navy sailors got. Fast forward to present day they are much more mainstream.

I agree this is exactly what is happening, unfortunately it’s another example of Disney not holding itself to the higher standards it used to strive for. Disney used to be better than society, it was an idealized version of America, now it’s more like real America, which I’m sad to say isn’t very appealing in a lot of ways.

Every several years the unions and company reach a compromise and the cast approve the contract ( ie pay raises ) , rinse and repeat every few years. So what's truly sad and insulting ? The cast voted after the unions convinced them to approve the contract presented to them every time contract time comes around ( after a few votes of course ).

It’s just a big game, offer, counteroffer, go to the press, play hardball, offer again, counter offer again, villainize each other… rinse and repeat until eventually agreeing on more or less the original offer. Happens with every union negotiation.

I chuckle at the people (who aren’t involved) who fall for it and get themselves worked up over it. The YouTuber who shall not be named went on an epic rant about it the other day and it just made me chuckle, he swallowed the unions press release hook, line, and sinker and is convinced Disney is evil incarnate now.

 

[Lilofan]

Wait, you think that people working full time front of the line at Disney are majority middle class? Not many are making enough to be considered that. American households earning as little as $47,189 and up to $141,568 are in the middle class.

Once again you assume . I never said what you assume. Read my post again.

 

[MadderAdder]

It’s 2023 and we have folks complaining about beards, long hair, and body art? Why?

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

It’s 2023 and we have folks complaining about beards, long hair, and body art? Why?

Because we liked the romanticized, idealized, escapism Disney used to offer.

l complain about all the new casinos in Vegas looking like glass office buildings also, there’s nothing wrong with them, I just preferred when they were castles and pyramids and felt different than reality.

 

[Alanzo]

I understand that you have a deep attachment to the traditional Disney experience, and it can be hard to see changes being made. However, I think it's important to remember that Disney's core values of creativity, imagination, and inclusivity are still at the heart of everything they do. Allowing tattoos is just one small way that Disney is adapting to changing attitudes and creating a more diverse and welcoming environment for both employees and guests. I believe that the magic of Disney will continue to shine through, no matter what policies they have in place.

 

[celluloid]

I think it's important to remember that Disney's core values of creativity, imagination, and inclusivity are still at the heart of everything they do.

It would be a lot easier to believe Disney had those as their core values if they were not fighting against a competitive pay for their employees at their resorts. Imagination and Creativity are abstract things that have a lot of crossover, inclusiveness and allowance are not the same.

 

[Disstevefan1]

It’s 2023 and we have folks complaining about beards, long hair, and body art? Why?

This has nothing to do with wage increases, but I agree!

TWDC is supposed to be inclusive!

Inclusion is TWDC's new fifth key!!!

 

[mkt]

Can't afford to live... but can't give up those sweet merch discounts... oh the choices!!!

I know of plenty of CM's (and Universal Employees) who sell their comp passes under the table for extra cash to get groceries.

 

[mkt]

You may or may not have heard a number of people in the USA are in debt. It is called
“Living above your means”. And believe it or not it affects the middle class also. We are a slaves to debt society .

When the cost of living is above ones means, the system is the problem - not the participants in it.

 

[mkt]

This has nothing to do with wage increases, but I agree!

TWDC is supposed to be inclusive!

Inclusion is TWDC's new fifth key!!!

I'm glad you agree that inclusivity is a good thing.

 

[Alanzo]

It would be a lot easier to believe Disney had those as their core values if they were not fighting against a competitive pay for their employees at their resorts. Imagination and Creativity are abstract things that have a lot of crossover, inclusiveness and allowance are not the same.

I completely agree that employees at Disney, and all companies, should be paid a fair wage that reflects their hard work and contributions. It's important for companies to prioritize the well-being and livelihoods of their employees, and I think we can all agree that there is more work to be done in this area. At the same time, I don't think it's fair or accurate to suggest that Disney's focus on inclusivity and diversity is simply a cover-up for their failure to pay employees fairly. These are both important issues that deserve attention, and it's possible for a company to address both at the same time. In fact, I think that fostering a more inclusive and diverse environment can ultimately benefit employees and the company as a whole in the long run.

 

[eliza61nyc]

When the cost of living is above ones means, the system is the problem - not the participants in it.

But the "participants " also have some responsibility to the problem.

 

[mkt]

But the "participants " also have some responsibility to the problem.

Sure. They can look for better paying jobs or a cheaper cost of living.

Except both of those things take money.

 

[celluloid]

I completely agree that employees at Disney, and all companies, should be paid a fair wage that reflects their hard work and contributions. It's important for companies to prioritize the well-being and livelihoods of their employees, and I think we can all agree that there is more work to be done in this area. At the same time, I don't think it's fair or accurate to suggest that Disney's focus on inclusivity and diversity is simply a cover-up for their failure to pay employees fairly. These are both important issues that deserve attention, and it's possible for a company to address both at the same time. In fact, I think that fostering a more inclusive and diverse environment can ultimately benefit employees and the company as a whole in the long run.

My response to what you said their core values are.

I don't think it is a cover up by any means, but I do have a hard time taking it with sincerity when there is an active fight to pay competitive wages to your lowest paid workers. People are the core value of any company.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

TWDC is supposed to be inclusive!

But they aren’t inclusive. You can’t have facial tatoos, or facial piercings - so they are still very exclusive - they just moved the line.

If it was really about inclusive then we’d let CM’s wear whatever they want - don’t tie them down to a uniform! Let them express themselves!!!

 

[kingdead]

Because we liked the romanticized, idealized, escapism Disney used to offer.

l complain about all the new casinos in Vegas looking like glass office buildings also, there’s nothing wrong with them, I just preferred when they were castles and pyramids and felt different than reality.

Let's be real, if you pay in merch discount, you're going to attract the type of people who have "Bone Daddy" Jack Skellington tattoos.

 

[Disstevefan1]

I completely agree that employees at Disney, and all companies, should be paid a fair wage that reflects their hard work and contributions. It's important for companies to prioritize the well-being and livelihoods of their employees, and I think we can all agree that there is more work to be done in this area. At the same time, I don't think it's fair or accurate to suggest that Disney's focus on inclusivity and diversity is simply a cover-up for their failure to pay employees fairly. These are both important issues that deserve attention, and it's possible for a company to address both at the same time. In fact, I think that fostering a more inclusive and diverse environment can ultimately benefit employees and the company as a whole in the long run.

There is no cover-up for TWDC's failure to pay WDW cast members fairly.

This is obvious - see Universal Orlando.

 

[MR.Dis]

So during Covid some 10 million people left the work force and have not returned. There is now a terrible shortage of "unskilled" labor. This is why the union has an upper hand (that and Universal already announcing $17 an hour wage). Disney cannot just threaten to just let go everyone, there is no one to replace all those union workers. The Union needs to use this to squeeze as much as possible. What happens if there is a change in immigration policy that allows millions of unskilled people to come on in? Now you have a reverse situation where the Union will no longer hold the upper hand. That is why it is important for the Union to strike now.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

I understand that you have a deep attachment to the traditional Disney experience, and it can be hard to see changes being made. However, I think it's important to remember that Disney's core values of creativity, imagination, and inclusivity are still at the heart of everything they do. Allowing tattoos is just one small way that Disney is adapting to changing attitudes and creating a more diverse and welcoming environment for both employees and guests. I believe that the magic of Disney will continue to shine through, no matter what policies they have in place.

The good news is it’s just the US parks, I can go on DCL or go to one of the international parks and still get the Disney idealism I used to get here.

“Self expression” via tattoos, bright hair colors, unkept beards, lack of ironing, etc is an American trait that hasn’t caught on overseas (or on the seas) yet.

I don’t think this is Disney embracing individuality, it’s Disney adapting to the US hiring pool, if there was still an ample pool of clean cut applicants I don’t think we’d be seeing tats and unique hair. They adapted to what’s available, not inclusivity .

 

[Alanzo]

The good news is it’s just the US parks, I can go on DCL or go to one of the international parks and still get the Disney idealism I used to get here.

“Self expression” via tattoos, bright hair colors, unkept beards, lack of ironing, etc is an American trait that hasn’t caught on overseas (or on the seas) yet.

I feel you, change ain't always easy, and we all got our own ways of looking at things. But the world keeps moving and we can't just run from our fears or our differences. It's time to embrace diversity and let everybody be themselves, tattoos and all. Disney's just trying to keep up with the times and create a place where everybody can feel welcome, no matter how they look or where they come from. So let's give 'em a chance and see how things play out, ya feel me?