LA Times: Is Disney Paying Its Fair Share In Anaheim

[TP2000]

Hey @Darkbeer1, have you heard anything about the construction permit for the new Mickey & Friends parking structure being held up by Anaheim City Hall, and spitefully at that? My neighbor lady said that's happening and TDA and Burbank execs are hitting the panic button because they can't start construction and they need that structure before Star Wars Land. At least that's the rumor flying around TDA in the last week.

Just wondering if you've heard the same thing from your Anaheim contacts.

 

[Darkbeer1]

I think something might be reveled at Tomorrow's night Council Meeting.

Let me just say today that the things you are hearing have merit. A lot is going on at City Hall, and a lot of staff have received direction they don't like. (That I can confirm) But until things get a bit more in the open, I can't say more.

I guess I can say that every little things is being reviewed to see if all current laws and regulations are being followed, regardless of what was agreed to in the 1990's. And that a lawsuit is a possibility. Anaheim just got a new City Attorney, and that he is reviewing the matter.

 

[TP2000]

I think something might be reveled at Tomorrow's night Council Meeting.

Let me just say today that the things you are hearing have merit. A lot is going on at City Hall, and a lot of staff have received direction they don't like. (That I can confirm) But until things get a bit more in the open, I can't say more.

I guess I can say that every little things is being reviewed to see if all current laws and regulations are being followed, regardless of what was agreed to in the 1990's. And that a lawsuit is a possibility. Anaheim just got a new City Attorney, and that he is reviewing the matter.

Yup, that jives with what the neighbor lady said.

Her main point was that this was getting scary. Anaheim City Hall has basically declared war against Disneyland and is using everything in their bureaucratic arsenal to delay and/or deny any type of meaningful investment and improvement that could benefit Disneyland.

The most recent example is that the Permit Department is now refusing to release a building permit for the parking structure expansion, even though technically it was approved 20 years ago, because Anaheim leaders know it will royally mess with Disneyland's plans to open Star Wars Land a little over a year from now. They just want to make life as difficult as possible for the Walt Disney Company.

 

[Darkbeer1]

TP2000, I truly wish I could write an article about what is truly going on, but I said I would keep my mouth shut, for now. Maybe a book in the future.

If anything is released on purpose or by accident tonight, I will say more, based on what came out. But I can't say more at the moment. The situation is very fluid.

The unions made some mistakes in getting the initiative to the public in time to make the November 2018 election. Dr. Moreno is trying to get a study done before the signatures are verified, to speed up the process. But the study, expected to cost around $100,000 would only be needed if the valid signatures meet the requirement. So there will be a fight over spending money that might not be needed. The vote will be close.

I have a busy Tuesday afternoon in the resort district talking to a few folks about the issue. The AFL-CIO announcement was done on purpose on Monday to add pressure to the overall issues facing the city and everyone involved. I just finished writing a few e-mails to some government officials about "things", leave it at that.

Had a surprise event Monday, with an incorrect news item that started in Northern California, and got repeated here in the Southland. Some news reporters are great, others are so dense, all they can do is read copy, and can't figure out that it was wrong.... Oh well, I am on high Blood Pressure Meds...

Disney Lawyers are already busy in "just in case" mode, preparing to act if needed. Better them than me!

But the Anaheim Sausage Factory at City Hall will be in overdrive the next 6 months...

5 weeks to my so called Vacation to the Washington, DC area. Now I have one or two days at the Capitol talking to folks, and 9 days of fun work. Looks like Carowinds will be the park where I can just focus on "us" (Lisa and I, plus my niece stationed at Fort Bragg)... I can't believe how she has transformed to an Air Force Sergeant and a mother.

At least we are headed to ride Electric Eel in a couple of weeks, and of course, ride Hangtime a bunch of times over several days this month.

As soon as I can, I will give you the latest Anaheim news. Need to head to bed!

 

[Darkbeer1]

OK, here is the current status of things.


The Unions turned in their signatures, and cannot turn in any more.


The Registrar of Voters has until June 15th to verify and count the signatures, and with all the other matters currently ahead of them, including the election and other initiatives turned in ahead of them, don’t expect the result until then


If not enough valid signatures, then the Unions would have to start over from Step 1, and hopefully a better written initiative would be circulated, one that has a lot less impact to the city, doesn’t void signed contracts, give Tips an exclusion, etc.

(One of the reasons the Unions had to rush, the first version of the initiative was so flawed, that after they started to gather signatures, they had to stop, rewrite it, and start again with step 1 and gather all the signatures again. )


If enough signatures are gathered, then at the next council meeting, more than likely June 19th, a 30 day Fiscal Impact Report would be ordered and written by an outside contractor and submitted to the council.


At the July meeting, the council would decide to place it on the ballot, or just make it law.


At Tuesday’s Council Meeting, the City Manager was directed to find a third party contractor and prepare a contract for the council to approve. So if there are enough valid signatures, the process will move ahead, but protect spending money unless it is necessary.


It was also clear from Tuesday’s meeting that the council would not make it law, but place it on the ballot in November (Deadline to decide is July 31st). The unions want it on the ballot to help drive voters to the ballot box in November.


So what would the Impact Report include, more than likely the following, though might be more….


Initiative lawsuits – Would the city be open to lawsuits (and their costs) and how many.


How many different businesses would have to pay the new wage - Like all the restaurants and shops at AGW, plus all vendors to Disneyland that have an Anaheim office/location.


Impact on TOT and general fund revenues


Convention Center Impact – Since it is city owned, loss of revenue due to less events. Also the planned $1.2 Billion Enlargement of the LA Convention Center.


Job losses from multiple reasons created by the initiative


Loss of new businesses


Pension impact by lesser earnings for Disney and other business held in the portfolios


Cost to the city to manage and supervise the new rules.


Impact on the Resort District


So it is wait and see now….


By the way, here is what the Fiscal Report would contain from the staff report.


(1) Its fiscal impact.


(2) Its effect on the internal consistency of the city’s general and specific plans.


(3) Its effect on the use of land, the impact on the availability and location of housing, and the ability of the city to meet its regional housing needs.


(4) Its impact on funding for infrastructure of all types, including, but not limited to, transportation, schools, parks, and open space.


(5) Its impact on the community’s ability to attract and retain business and employment.


(6) Its impact on the uses of vacant parcels of land.


(7) Its impact on agricultural lands, open space, traffic congestion, existing business districts, and developed areas designated for revitalization.


(8) Any other matters the legislative body requests to be in the report.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Well, I have an Appointment with the City Attorney to discuss what should be included in the Fiscal Impact Study, plus how a summary could get placed on the Voter Information Guide, if needed in November. Guess graduating from the OC Registrar of Voters Election Academy was a good use of my time. (A very interesting set of classes, there was a couple of "nerd" sessions, one dealing with election security and the Russia issues. (The system is very safe, and getting safer nationwide) The other was the use of tech during an election, focusing on voting and the local election. Also the California Voters Choice Act and how the state wants counties to switch to a Vote Center format, but didn't provide any money to do it. 5 Counties have made the switch so far.

But we have a new City Attorney, and he will be around next year, so a good long term connection.

Of course, any of my suggestions would have to be approved by the city council, if they meet the city attorney, city manager (we might have a new one of those real soon), the city clerk, and the Registrar of Voters.

And those connection will be helpful when I visit the Capital in June and early July. (The Capital/Congress is June 14th, also visits on the 15th, July 1st and 2nd. The White House and the FBI are currently refreshing my security clearance, and also looking at my wife's. (She also has had one since a teenager, since her father was a Captain of one of the Nuclear Subs in the Navy.). But we will be visiting both sometime during our trip. Looks like some low level staff member is the person we get to meet at the White House, heck, better than nothing.

Of course, CoasterCon is the main event, especially since we will be hosting it here in SoCal June 2019.

But it is nice to hear that some folks value my opinion and how to get things done at the city.

Maybe I can try the Building Permit Department next.... (I doubt it, but would love to.)

 

[Deleted member 107043]

 

[Darkbeer1]

The Orange County Building Trades discussed the job loss at Tuesday's City Council meeting... Did you watch the 7 hour meeting, including about 4 hours of public comments? I did, and you can watch it at Anaheim.net of the government access channel. As I said, the job losses are REAL, and from many areas. The cancellation of planned jobs is one. Let's look at the similar LAX workers wage hike.

http://www.breitbart.com/california...ls-in-los-angeles-despite-jobs-loss-warnings/

>>A vast number of those who both supported and opposed the minimum wage hike agreed on one thing: that the wage increase is not to improve wages, but rather to expand the ranks of the UNITE HERE Local 11, a union that represents hotel employees.

Wednesday’s vote was the city council’s most weighty move to increase wages in the private sector since 2007, note the Times. During that year, lawmakers passed legislation to increase the base pay of employees at 12 hotels near LAX. However, in the end, that move resulted in job losses with the decrease of overall hospitality jobs.

Thornberg noted that while employment at hotels across L.A. County grew by a 10% margin during the six-year period that followed the 2007 hike, the number of actual jobs at LAX also dropped by 10%. “There’d be 400 more people employed by the hotels in the airport area” if the previous wage boost hadn’t happened, he said.<<

So a 10% Job Loss in a UniteHERE similar proposition. A localized wage hike took jobs away from the small, increased wage hike area, but jobs expanded outside the area.

And look at the REAL reason, union job and dues growth was the purpose. Not the union member, but for the Union bosses.

If the unions want more members, talk to potential members directly, and not use the ballot box to avoid it.

Same with the Unions trying to get a pay raise. Get out of trying to make government do your job, and do it yourself. Sit down with the employers DIRECTLY.

 

[Darkbeer1]

At Tuesday night's City Council Meeting, during the public comments, one of the speakers came up and talked about how she worked for Disney for 31 years and only makes about $1 over minimum wage, and talked about the down on the luck CM's.

But I recognized her, she works as a bartender for Trader Sam's and is a shop steward.

She makes VERY good tips, and excellent benefits. (Her Shop Stewards hours count towards benefits).

Another stated he was a 37 year old Bellman at the DLH, and only makes $14 per hour. And stated he still lives with his parents, and played the poverty card. Heck, 10 bags an hour is worth about $10 in tips on average, and bellhops usually do that on one or two guests. So he is another person making very good tips, and why he is still a bellman. So maybe he takes care of his parents, going to school, etc.

These folks were coached. Ada Briceno was in the audience. She is president of Unite HERE Local 11, and was telling folks to react poorly to speakers. She actually yelled at one, and got called out by Councilmember Murray. Mayor Tait pretended to not know who did it, because he earlier warned folks that he would throw out anyone showing disrespect to any speaker. Later, when she came up to speak for her three minutes, she apologized for her outburst.

The unions negotiate with Disney by position. And for tipped employees, they don't care about the wage, instead they want good benefits, and for seniority, first pick of positions/locations and guaranteed hours per week. Everyone knows it, but it is something the unions have said not to talk about in public.

So, these speakers, at least are making misleading statements, or maybe a stronger word.

Plenty of businesses are currently hiring in the area, and any Disney employee can apply.

Heck, the union uses the claim that other Resort Hotels pay their maids more. Great, then let the Disney workers apply for those jobs, and switch if hired.

 

[Darkbeer1]

In the HBO video that Hans linked, they focus on Glynndana, a Concierge Suite Service CM at the DLH....

Let's read what the Touring Plans says about tipping that position...

https://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/tipping-at-walt-disney-world

>>Concierge Suite Service: If you’re staying in a Club Level room with special dedicated concierge service, you’ll want to tip according to your usage of the service, the length of your stay, and the number of people in your party. Fifty or 100 dollars, or much more, is not unheard of if you’ve made extensive use of their personal attention.<<

Amazing how a Hotel with at least 20 suites in the Adventure Tower is saying Disney is paying her so little. Of Course they are, and the Unions don't fight for higher wages at that position, since everyone knows that she could make $1,000 in tips on a good day, heck, she lucks out with a celebrity guest, she can make serious coin on the one guest's party....

But of course, nobody in most news outlets will ask the question....

 

[Deleted member 107043]

Amazing how a Hotel with at least 20 suites in the Adventure Tower is saying Disney is paying her so little. Of Course they are, and the Unions don't fight for higher wages at that position, since everyone knows that she could make $1,000 in tips on a good day, heck, she lucks out with a celebrity guest, she can make serious coin on the one guest's party....

So what you're saying then is that stagnant wages and skyrocketing costs are not an issue? Because this worker may be collecting large tips that weren't covered in the story equates to there's nothing to see here and everything is fine?

 

[DanielBB8]

So what you're saying then is that stagnant wages and skyrocketing costs are not an issue? That because this worker may be collecting large tips that weren't covered in the story equates to there's nothing to see here and everything is fine?

Also, Unions don’t negotiate for higher wages for tipped employees. They prefer higher benefits.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

You're also making the mistake of assuming everyone tips Glynndana and the other hotel CMs appropriately, an assumption that does not bear out in real life.

 

[Model3 McQueen]

For what it's worth, Disney SHOULD be paying their employees much more, and they can, but they don't. I used to work at Topgolf doing minimum wage (SERVER minimum wage) bs for a company that "cared so much with a wonderful culture".. but didn't give two dog doodys when a party of 7 stayed for 3 hours, got over $200 worth of food, and conveniently forgot to tip. Which mind you, happened quite often. Ha!

Disney is a multi-billion dollar company, they can't afford to pay more than minimum wage for some of these positions? What a load. Management should be ashamed.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

In-N-Out Burger can afford to start their employees at $16/hr, and their flagship product is less than $5. Disney can and should take better care of their CMs.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

it doesn't help that the state is so liberal the cost of living and taxes are astronomical.

What's the connection between high cost of living and liberalism in California?

 

[Phroobar]

What's the connection between high cost of living and liberalism in California?

Loaded question and will probably get the thread locked if answered.

 

[Phroobar]

Shouldn't house keeping be paid more to plunge the toilet after someone eats at Pizza Planet or clean up barf from someone that frequented the Cove Bar or change the sheets after someone's "magical night"?

 

[Deleted member 107043]

Loaded question and will probably get the thread locked if answered.

It was actually a pretty loaded statement. I'm just asking for facts and evidence to support such a wild claim.

 

[flynnibus]

It was actually a pretty loaded statement. I'm just asking for facts and evidence to support such a wild claim.

It's called history.

From environmental to consumer laws and business regulation... cali is well established as one of the most progressive states in the land. Cost of living... also well established. Maybe the Times will write an article for you to catch up with...