Perks being reduced for some CMs

CaptainAmerica

Premium Member
The regulations being avoided are mostly around legislated wage increases via legislated benefits. Removing part time work would only make things worse and we'll again be waiting for a legislative fix to rising costs and high unemployment.
Isn't that the wonder and magic of the federal government? Creating problems that only they can fix which, in turn, create a new series of problems that only they can fix.
 

rucifee

Well-Known Member
The regulations being avoided are mostly around legislated wage increases via legislated benefits. Removing part time work would only make things worse and we'll again be waiting for a legislative fix to rising costs and high unemployment.

We're in agreement on that. Still, I expect it to happen.
 

rucifee

Well-Known Member
Isn't that the wonder and magic of the federal government? Creating problems that only they can fix which, in turn, create a new series of problems that only they can fix.

If companies and people would only self regulate, we wouldn't have to worry with pesky government interference. They're really good at chasing the wrong problems and making it worse. When will we get the memo that they're only doing it because we won't?
 

French Quarter

Well-Known Member
If companies and people would only self regulate, we wouldn't have to worry with pesky government interference. They're really good at chasing the wrong problems and making it worse. When will we get the memo that they're only doing it because we won't?

I am always fascinated with the the American view of government compared to the rest of the world. It seems like you would all prefer anarchy. The government is seen as such a positive institution in our country...the reason we have healthcare, employment insurance, pension plans, etc. This is similarly true in Europe. I know I'm generalizing here but Americans seem to see the government as something outside of themselves. The government is us!
 

Andrew C

You know what's funny?
I am always fascinated with the the American view of government compared to the rest of the world. It seems like you would all prefer anarchy. The government is seen like such a positive institution in our country...the reason we have healthcare, employment insurance, pension plans, etc. This is similarly true in Europe. I know I'm generalizing here but Americans seem to see the government as something outside of themselves. The government is us!

ehhh....without getting political I would say Americans don't like the federal government intruding in their lives (in general at least). And of course, this is my opinion of how I see the majority of my fellow Americans
 

ford91exploder

Resident Curmudgeon
I am always fascinated with the the American view of government compared to the rest of the world. It seems like you would all prefer anarchy. The government is seen as such a positive institution in our country...the reason we have healthcare, employment insurance, pension plans, etc. This is similarly true in Europe. I know I'm generalizing here but Americans seem to see the government as something outside of themselves. The government is us!

It was ONCE and it was accountable to the people, Now we have federal agencies giving a pass to acts (and promoting those responsible) for which if a citizen or a corporation committed them people would be looking at at decades in jail. US government has become corrupt and wishes to rule by administrative fiat instead of the traditional process of lawmaking.

Unfortunately the Washington establishment IS the problem, We now have a system which is more akin to the 'Hunger Games' than the US government most of us grew up with. Following the 'hunger games' model interestingly enough D.C. like the 'Capital District' is the richest area in the land.
 

hopemax

Well-Known Member
I am always fascinated with the the American view of government compared to the rest of the world. It seems like you would all prefer anarchy. The government is seen as such a positive institution in our country...the reason we have healthcare, employment insurance, pension plans, etc. This is similarly true in Europe. I know I'm generalizing here but Americans seem to see the government as something outside of themselves. The government is us!

Americans take a lot of things for granted, and despite seeing a million ways everyday that people make stupid & wrong decisions (like making a FP for Stitch), believe that in an unregulated world, people would make the right decisions. (They can't make them with their choice in life partners, parenting, etc, but business, no that would be run perfectly, all the time!) So its not like people want anarchy, they have just convinced themselves that there isn't a need. We are so far removed from what life was like here pre-WWII that we can't even imagine what the country was like to drive the choices that resulted in the institution of labor laws, unions, minimum wages, anti-poverty programs, etc in the first place. I suspect the devastation of WWII, rebuilding, the Iron Curtain, fall of Communism has given Europeans a more first-hand experience of how bad things can get, and in other parts of the world, more recent terrible events provided similar illumination. Even if you didn't live it, parents and grandparents experienced the effects and younger people notice their habits. All of my Grandparents operated under a different set of rules, not ever quite being able to rid themselves of the pains of living through the Great Depression and war rationing, quite a difference in attitude than the frivolity of today.
 

lazyboy97o

Well-Known Member
I am always fascinated with the the American view of government compared to the rest of the world. It seems like you would all prefer anarchy. The government is seen as such a positive institution in our country...the reason we have healthcare, employment insurance, pension plans, etc. This is similarly true in Europe. I know I'm generalizing here but Americans seem to see the government as something outside of themselves. The government is us!
It's the whole reason the Untied States exists. The concept of a government as provider is nothing new and very much relates to the founding rebellion. The United States is also just that, plural, and there remains a strong emphasis on the local.
 

Goofnut1980

Well-Known Member
Back in the day... wayyyyy back, my uncle would just meet us at the gate and bam... we were in... Was fun, but we only did that a few times before he retired. He opened the Magic Kingdom in 1971 and worked on the light bulb crew changing lights every night until that team was no more. Kinda neat really.
 

raven

Well-Known Member
My pay stubs and tax returns from the last 8 years beg to differ.

As are over 80% of employees in my old department who either lives in a trailer in Kissimmee, Section 8 housing, with many roommates (like myself), or in the Home Sweet Home $125/week motel on 192 and don't own vehicles. Most of these people are in their 50's and have been working for Disney for over 20 years and have been in that poor economic state for their entire employment.
 

rucifee

Well-Known Member
As are over 80% of employees in my old department who either lives in a trailer in Kissimmee, Section 8 housing, with many roommates (like myself), or in the Home Sweet Home $125/week motel on 192 and don't own vehicles. Most of these people are in their 50's and have been working for Disney for over 20 years and have been in that poor economic state for their entire employment.

Crazy talk! Captain America said Disney promotes people who are motivated and show they aren't lazy! ;)
 

Andrew C

You know what's funny?
So we expect Disney to increase wages dramatically for people in entry level positions just because they are old and have been there 20 years? Because you decided to stay in that role for 20+ years doesn't mean the pay is going to be $70,000 a year. They are called entry-level for a reason.

Now if you think their wages for all entry level positions should be higher to start across the board, that is another story. You could argue that, and really, lots do.
 

ford91exploder

Resident Curmudgeon
So we expect Disney to increase wages dramatically for people in entry level positions just because they are old and have been there 20 years? Because you decided to stay in that role for 20+ years doesn't mean the pay is going to be $70,000 a year. They are called entry-level for a reason.

Now if you think their wages for all entry level positions should be higher to start across the board, that is another story. You could argue that, and really, lots do.

Someone here perhaps @marni1971 has a copy of the help wanted ad for EPCOT opening, Those starting wages were FAR higher than what WDW is paying today. As I recall a lot attendant made $11 bucks to start that was nearly 3x the minimum wage at the time.

Of course back then Disney management was not hell bent on re-implementing the 'Company Town' and indentured servitude in Disney's case the H2B visa's that they bring many of the mousekeepers and service staff in under.
 

Andrew C

You know what's funny?
Someone here perhaps @marni1971 has a copy of the help wanted ad for EPCOT opening, Those starting wages were FAR higher than what WDW is paying today. As I recall a lot attendant made $11 bucks to start that was nearly 3x the minimum wage at the time.

Of course back then Disney management was not hell bent on re-implementing the 'Company Town' and indentured servitude in Disney's case the H2B visa's that they bring many of the mousekeepers and service staff in under.

What do you expect these positions to be paid? $9, $10, $15?
 

ford91exploder

Resident Curmudgeon
What do you expect these positions to be paid? $9, $10, $15?

In the 80's Disney's LOWEST wage was $11/Hr or so nearly 3x the minimum wage, Staff was largely FT and Disney could hire the best of the best. During that SAME period P&R margins were in the mid to high 20's consistently. You also did not have the expense related to staff churn and Disney needed fewer employees because the CM's were more productive.

Now with wages tied to minimum and constant cuts in quality and service disney struggles with keeping P&R margins in the mid to high teens. Many of Disney's new CM's are illiterate in their native language and english is a struggle and you need 3-4 of them do perform tasks that a old-line CM did by themselves.

When I'm at the parks I tend to head for the CM's with grey hair as they are the most likely to KNOW what they are doing. instead of the young clerk who might as well say 'no habla anglais'.

Once again the iron law of economics holds - 'you get what you pay for'
 

rucifee

Well-Known Member
So we expect Disney to increase wages dramatically for people in entry level positions just because they are old and have been there 20 years? Because you decided to stay in that role for 20+ years doesn't mean the pay is going to be $70,000 a year. They are called entry-level for a reason.

Now if you think their wages for all entry level positions should be higher to start across the board, that is another story. You could argue that, and really, lots do.

Why do we have to call these positions entry level positions? Does this mean a Hygienist who has few career growth options is entry level? No. Does it mean that all guest facing CM positions are entry level? No. Are some? Probably. Do people in all positions, even those who have no career growth path because not everyone can be a manager or leader deserve to earn more even if they stay in their positions for a long time? Definitely. Does that mean they are always "entry level"? No, not at all.
 

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