Union Members Reject Preliminary Disney World Proposal

[orlpassholder]

Greetings all from the Geek Labs

Union members overwhelmingly rejected a preliminary contract offer covering about half of Walt Disney World's more than 50,000 employees.

The final vote Friday night was 4,122-15 against the offer dealing with noneconomic issues. The previous contract expired last May but has been extended.

"Basically what Disney was doing was sending up a weather balloon to find the temperature of employees," said Ed Chambers, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1625. "They knew it was going to be rejected."

Leaders of the Service Trades Council Union, a coalition that covers about 22,000 costumed characters, ticket-takers, food service workers, housekeepers, bellhops and bus drivers, had recommended rejection of the preliminary offer.

Union leaders oppose a provision that would deny overtime for workers who put in more than eight hours in a day if they have worked less than 40 hours for the week. They also oppose the elimination of company pension plans for new employees and the elimination of free health insurance offered to employees.

The union also said it will seek higher wages.

Disney officials did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment Friday.

source local6.com

 

[Phosphate]

Good for them, my mom read out of the Orlando Sentinel that non-tipped CM's would be elligle for a 1% increase in pay. I don't think that increase even covers the cost of living increase incurred since the last pay increase.

 

[Coasterbp]

Good for them, my mom read out of the Orlando Sentinel that non-tipped CM's would be elligle for a 1% increase in pay. I don't think that increase even covers the cost of living increase incurred since the last pay increase.

Yes, and keep in mind now, that 1% pay increase only goes to you if you are a non-tipped employee who isn't topped out. Those of us that are topped out already would receive a one time bonus of $500. (Which of course would be taxed, so you'd end up with about $300.)

What a joke.

4 THOUSAND+ said NO and 15 said YES....I mean, come on...not much more needs to be said here...

 

[ACE]

Union leaders oppose a provision that would deny overtime for workers who put in more than eight hours in a day if they have worked less than 40 hours for the week.

Let me get this straight. The union leaders want overtime pay for anything over 8 hours in a day, even if you don't have 40 hours for the week? Sorry but I disagree with that. Now Disney will have to cut folks hours so they don't go over 8 hours a day. I see a negative impact on the worker. Does anyone else out there have a job where overtime is based on your hours per day? If you do, let me know how you got it so I can work that into my next job when I'm negotiating salary.

:wave: ACE

 

[ClemsonTigger]

Make a Stand

Well, in spite of my strong dislike for unions and the use of strikes, I have to side with the employee's on this one. Their benefits are good, but salary as has often been discussed is embarrassing. I think the union see's real money being spent to improved the parks for the first time in ten years (or more), and that possibly the company may actually be willing to compensate their employees more than those working at McDonalds and 7-11.

I was at WDW (about 20? years ago) when another strike was looming, and it was probably my worst Disney experience ever. CM's were clearly preoccupied and many were downright unpleasant. I don't ever want to experience that again.

I hope the company can do the right thing...and the CM's accept a reasonable contract.

Let me get this straight. The union leaders want overtime pay for anything over 8 hours in a day, even if you don't have 40 hours for the week? Sorry but I disagree with that. Now Disney will have to cut folks hours so they don't go over 8 hours a day. I see a negative impact on the worker. Does anyone else out there have a job where overtime is based on your hours per day? If you do, let me know how you got it so I can work that into my next job when I'm negotiating salary. Ace

I don't find that unusual. If you are scheduled to work 8x5 for 40 hours, most places I have worked provide OT for time beyond 8/day. The exception to this are set schedules of 10x4 or 12x3 (actually 3 on, 2 off, 2 on three off or variations).

Selfishly I hope this gets settled before Oct.

 

[se8472]

the key to making the money for alot of CM is working the system so that one can get OT...already having a 8 hour shift and then getting another one for the same day rocks. Then try and double back that and what not. Then doubly backing that for another 16 hour shift and its real bling bling....or just going the whole week with just 6 hour shifts till your 6th and 7th days a nd then work all day on those....

To lose that would just suck!

 

[scorp111]

I don't find that unusual. If you are scheduled to work 8x5 for 40 hours, most places I have worked provide OT for time beyond 8/day. The exception to this are set schedules of 10x4 or 12x3 (actually 3 on, 2 off, 2 on three off or variations).

In fact in at least a few states it is required by law. California springs to mind real quick

 

[cm1988]

I would like to work for a company where everyone that was competent, cooperative and friendly in a full-time job earned enough to rent an apartment, own and insure a car in good condition, buy groceries, be insured against medical hardships, and pay their medical co-pays. Then maybe have a few bucks left to rent a movie or take a college class once in a while. Without working a second job, or working 50+ hours per week.

Anything less than that is a shame. Shame on the shareholders who use the profits to buy a second SUV. Shame on those earning 5 or 10 times more (and we're not talking about CEO-level here) while bringing marginally more skills to the table.

Maybe, shame on me. Not making all that much, but proportional to the contributions of the front-line cast? Will have to think about that one.

 

[Craig & Lisa]

well I for one see their point but there are problems, I live in NJ and if you work under 32 or 35 hours a week you are part time, anything over is considered full time. I'm full time but if I'm scheduled for 38 hours for a certain week, and somehow work 39.5 I will not get overtime pay, because I am a full time employee who must work over 40 to get overtime pay. the health bene's they should get, but there aren't too many co's now who pay everything, lets get real it costs alot to stay healthy. My wife is a teacher and we have a co-pay, it's a good benefit and parts of her health ins. does stink but it's better than some other plans. The one problem I have is the pension plan, for ( and I don't want to seem cruel), really does not need to be offered to sr citizens, I think most of them that work disney are part time and have other forms of revenue, where as a young 20 something who wants to work there for alot longer should at least have it offered, if it seems that they will be with the company awhile.

 

[Ringo8n24]

Could this mean a strike? If so, what impact does it have on the park? I know someone said there was a similar situation around 20 years ago and was wondering what the major impacts were back then besides the unpleasant CM's.

 

[monorailmike]

Let me get this straight. The union leaders want overtime pay for anything over 8 hours in a day, even if you don't have 40 hours for the week? Sorry but I disagree with that. Now Disney will have to cut folks hours so they don't go over 8 hours a day. I see a negative impact on the worker. Does anyone else out there have a job where overtime is based on your hours per day? If you do, let me know how you got it so I can work that into my next job when I'm negotiating salary.

:wave: ACE

To add what might have already been stated, the labor laws for some states mandate the payment of OT for any hours over 8 worked per day. The laws become tricky for those that are salaried though. By all means, get familiar with your state's labor laws to see what exactly you should be entitled to.

 

[General Grizz]

From Orlando Sentinel:

"This is just the first serve of the tennis match," Bob Harris, a bus driver represented by Teamsters Local 385, said after dropping his "No" vote into the ballot box.

"If the cast members treated the guests like management treats us, the guests would never come back."

 

[MsSnuzi]

From Orlando Sentinel:

"If the cast members treated the guests like management treats us, the guests would never come back."

Interesting quote - it certainly says alot!

 

[drew81]

The WDW cast deserves a raise. With all the skills of the cast down there, Burbank should pay them more. People want to work at Disney. Mngt knows that. Since people come to them, they know they can pay them a low wage.

 

[raven]

I would like to work for a company where everyone that was competent, cooperative and friendly in a full-time job earned enough to rent an apartment, own and insure a car in good condition, buy groceries, be insured against medical hardships, and pay their medical co-pays. Then maybe have a few bucks left to rent a movie or take a college class once in a while. Without working a second job, or working 50+ hours per week.

Would be nice wouldn't it? Most of us american's struggle to even get that. It's a shame really. But that's why we need to VOTE!

 

[artvandelay]

Let me get this straight. The union leaders want overtime pay for anything over 8 hours in a day, even if you don't have 40 hours for the week? Sorry but I disagree with that. Now Disney will have to cut folks hours so they don't go over 8 hours a day. I see a negative impact on the worker. Does anyone else out there have a job where overtime is based on your hours per day? If you do, let me know how you got it so I can work that into my next job when I'm negotiating salary.

:wave: ACE

I get OT after 8 hours in one day (NY). I think it's the law here. OT hours do not count towards my 40 hours in a week, though.

 

[WDWScottieBoy]

I work for a real estate office here in IL and I am a part-time employee. I was told that I cannot get more than 28 hours per week because I would be considered full-time after that. I have never heard of any other place in IL where part-time was around here. I guess I don't know much about the state law, but I don't get overtime if I work extra on any given day.

 

[ACE]

OK I see a lot of you have quoted me. The problem is you guys are taking what I said the wrong way. If the union gets their way the cast members will be limited to 8 or less hours a day to avoid being paid overtime. That will stop double shifts and lead to more work days per week to make the same money. I prefer to work more hours in less days and have more time off. Three 12 hour days are better than six 6 hour days IMO.

:wave: ACE

 

[ACE]

Would be nice wouldn't it? Most of us american's struggle to even get that. It's a shame really. But that's why we need to VOTE!

I'm sorry, I don't understand. I thought we were talking about Disney's negotiations with the union.

:wave: ACE

 

[NeverEnufDisney]

I work in NY also, however I believe the law is that if the employer requires you to work more than 8 hours in a day. I work at Cornell University at we can work more than 8 hours, but we have a flex time schedule where we can choose to work more some days and less or none others in some jobs. Direct student services cannot use a flex schedule obviously. I tend to side with the CMs as this was a real low ball offer, but this is the first wave in a negotiation. Disney was testing the resolve of the CMs and we this overwhelming rejection they know they are going to have to come up with their offer substantially. Whether this will require the first strike in WDW history, who knows? Nobody wants it and it will test the good sense in both Disney management and the unions. I hope they will continue to make progress and resolve the issues. Disney is just recovering from 9/11 in the amusement parks and had a real down year with their movies. Eisner can ill afford to have a costly strike with all his troubles.