Workers want pay boost

[WDW1974]

just curious... what is the front line average CM/employee job pay and benefits at Disney v/s other theme parks such as Uni, SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, Busch Gardens, Dollywood, etc.

Not a Disney issue per se ... a national shame is more like it.

But WDW is the nation's largest single site private employer ... they, obviously, own Governor Voldemort and the State House. Disney sets the tone.

If Disney raised it's minimum wage to $11.12 an hour tomorrow, UNI and SEAS would follow suit. Of course, if they did, the caliber of CM would rise dramatically ... you do get what you pay for.

 

[WDW1974]

I get what you're trying to say but there are ways to make it in this world. Sure, people fall on hard times and our government and it's policies are a mess and making things worse for EVERYONE (don't be fooled by the topics on helping the middle class or lower income families are actually happening)... but if one truly wanted to "make it" , they can find a way rather than holding their hand out wanting others to just give them something for being in this world.

If a Disney CM job isn't paying enough for their lifestyle and that is their sole source of income...then they should find a different job and Disney will fill that one with someone else.

I have no problem helping others when they need it... I do often in fact... but there's a difference between doing something and not doing something

Honestly, I just don't know what to say to this beyond it being BS.

You are detached from reality if your answer to the employment mess is 'if you can dream it, it will happen.''

 

[maxairmike]

just curious... what is the front line average CM/employee job pay and benefits at Disney v/s other theme parks such as Uni, SeaWorld, LEGOLAND, Busch Gardens, Dollywood, etc.

From all my friends who I've known and talk to (every park is represented by someone, even Dollywood), front-line pay is very similar across the industry. I have direct experience with three chains, and Disney generally starts the highest of the three, but stagnates quickly. Of course, starting the highest of the group isn't saying much when we're talking $0.50 or less of a difference. SeaWorld looks like they pay the highest in the Central Florida area(they actually display wages on their jobs site), with most positions starting out in the $7.95-8.15 range for basic, typical jobs you would think of as being theme park job. Universal actually starts folks out lower than Disney (minimum wage) for most operation positions, but it seems to jump up to match the rest within about a year.

This isn't something unique to Central Florida, necessarily, the hospitality/amusement industry is notorious for being comparatively low-pay until you reach higher management levels (not talking a park ops manager, talking like park GM/VP level). The general exception are the high-end brands, but is that really a surprise? Of course, Disney purports to be and charges rates comparable to and usually far above said high-end brands but pay at a Wal-Mart level. Hmmm...anyone seeing a connection here?

 

[WDW1974]

I disagree... because if they are working a 40-50 hour job and still have to apply for help from the government and can't make it on their lifestyle they are trying to have...then they should do something about it and look for new sources of income (new jobs, further education)

part of the problem is society as well... ex. single mothers who can't make it but continue to have more and more kids with no fathers around or child support coming in and then are first in line to get their government help so they can buy the new iPhone before diapers

Lifestyle? Code you mean for living above what you believe is their means.

You are so far off on this ... you can't look for something that doesn't exist and higher education (unless very specialized) is a joke. All it does is give someone loads of debt and guarantees NOTHING in the job market.

But it's obvious where you are coming from with that mothers/iPhone crack ... so I won't waste my time with you.

 

[Pixie VaVoom]

"this is part of the problem in this world now... exibit a) my job doesn't pay me what I want so I should be given free handouts because my neighbor who has worked harder in life has what I want"

This is the problem that we have in the world NOW - just look at the OCTOMOM !! No defined marketable skills and yet she has the freedom to make STUPID choices like that and still wear DESIGNER CLOTHES !!!

 

[Tater48]

Nobody here seemed to mention that, per our union contract, cast members do get a yearly raise. Yes, most of us would like that raise to be larger but at least a raise happens. I've known many who have worked in other places that were lucky to get a raise every couple of years. The union is currently fighting to increase the annual pay increase.

Depends on which union you belong to.

 

[WDWDad13]

Not a Disney issue per se ... a national shame is more like it.

But WDW is the nation's largest single site private employer ... they, obviously, own Governor Voldemort and the State House. Disney sets the tone.

If Disney raised it's minimum wage to $11.12 an hour tomorrow, UNI and SEAS would follow suit. Of course, if they did, the caliber of CM would rise dramatically ... you do get what you pay for.

no... if Disney raised it minimum wage to $11.12 an hour tomorrow... tickets and other prices would go up again...they would build and maintain even less than they do now...and you'd have more to come on here and complain about than you do already

and your theory on the caliber of the CM would rise dramatically if they were paid more... what makes you so sure? sounds like a bunch of pixie dust and magical wishes to me

 

[CDavid]

If a Disney CM job isn't paying enough for their lifestyle and that is their sole source of income...then they should find a different job and Disney will fill that one with someone else.

What other job alternatives exist in the central Florida area (in sufficient numbers) for Disney CM's which offer pay substantially better than Disney? Telling someone to find a different, better paying job is pointless unless a better paying job actually exists. I can't imagine area retailers or other theme parks, hotels, and the like offer much greater pay and benefits than Disney, if at all.

If Disney did then fill a job with someone else, wouldn't the new employee have the same problem?

There is a legitimate point to be made about a person's lifestyle; Most people tend to want to live at a higher level than what we really need - and that's not normally a bad thing. However, wages at or just above minimum wage - such as that of WDW - aren't adequate for even a basic level of existence (rent, food, basic utilities, transportation, and a bit for miscellaneous). No job should pay so little that a full-time worker cannot keep a roof over their head, food on the table, and clothes on their back.

 

[WDWDad13]

maybe there is a different issue here with minimum wage... in that it stays the same for years and then takes a big leap all at once... maybe it should go up so every 3 years or something... slightly... instead of a big bang and force from the government which could cause more problems in the job market than we already have now

 

[note2001]

All companies rely on a good solid foundation: core workers are that foundation. Treat them well, watch for and repair weaknesses, and in return they'll hold your company up. Treat your core workers as disposable and your foundation will develop holes, cracks and crumble in spots, threatening the entire structure.

Nothing hurts the moral of workers more than watching as the upper management gives them false praise for a job well done, rewards themselves and stock holders and then tells the workers in the next breath "We wish we could do more for you."

Disney is not unique, they're just in the spotlight more than most companies. Since they are in the spotlight, it would be nice if they could set a great example for those other companies on how to treat their employees well.

 

[slappy magoo]

Why not 19.64 an hour?

It's a question I posed earlier; WDWDad13 earlier argued that some people don't deserve to make a livable wage, even if they're working hard at a job 40-50 hours a week. Using some loose math I figured the least a single parent of one would have to make to cover rent, food, clothes, transportaiton to/from work and health insurance copays - with no other incidentals like cable tv, cell phone, internet, birthday/Xmas gifts - would be 9.64 an hour, and I asked him what kinds of people/what sorts of jobs were not deserving to make at least the bare bones minimum to survive, not thrive, not invest and retire a millionaire, but survive.

But I will say I find that rhetorical question a little lazy. No one is arguing that the minimum livable wage is $19.64/hr (though it's probably a lot closer to that than the $10.10 currently being discussed in Washington), and in fact if the minimum wage had been tied to cost of living increases, the minimum wage would be cose to that amount. But when the subject of raising the minimum wage comes up, someone inevitably asks "why not $25 an hour, why not $100 an hour, why not $1000 an hour" and so on. It's supposed to shut up any further discussion by associating a reasonable with an unreasonable. Raise the minimum wage too much and indeed, all the worst case scenarios people imagine with a moderate increase in the minimum wage comes true. So associate an increase of minimum wage a few bucks an hour to ten bucks more an hour or more than that, and suddenly it all seems worst-case-scenario-esque. Again, lazy and more than a little disingenuous.

 

[slappy magoo]

maybe there is a different issue here with minimum wage... in that it stays the same for years and then takes a big leap all at once... maybe it should go up so every 3 years or something... slightly... instead of a big bang and force from the government which could cause more problems in the job market than we already have now

So after you raise it to an amount that someone doesn't need assistance to survive, you tie it to cost of living increases and then we never have this discussion again.

 

[slappy magoo]

are you kidding me? everyone "deserves" to make at lease $29.64 to have a livable income regardless of what they do (work or not)

Way to deflect a simple question. I guess you're afraid whatever profession you deem unworthy to make a living wage, someone on the forum either works or once worked or knows someone that works that job and would be offended. I for one am dying of curiosity to know what a WDWDad13-approved economy would look like.

 

[CentralFLlife]

you do know it's not the employers job to ensure that each employee is living the good life outside of work right?

if job A is an entry level job... pretty much anyone could do it with the proper on job training...no educational requirements...and there are many others in line who would be willing to do that job... then that would be entry level pay, period

no one automatically earns or deserves a livable wage just because they were born in America regardless of what they do or don't do (and we all know livable means many different things to different people too)

Okay the first bold statement is the only thing you have said that is anywhere close to being sensible. You're right, its not the employers job to ensure that an employee is living well outside of work, that responsibility is strictly on the employee, but it is the employers DUTY to GIVE them the tools they need to live. Not as in having the latest and greatest everything, or new cars, big houses. But enough to have 3 meals a day, keep gas in their car, and be able to pay rent, and cover living expenses. Which disney falls short on

As for your second statement, that is the most stupid comment I've ever heard. EVERY ONE WHO WORKS DESERVES A LIVABLE WAGE! thats the point of working, what is wrong with you to think that certain people deserve it and certain don't. If someone is willing to put forth the effort work, they deserve to make a wage they can live off of.

Yes entry level jobs deserve Entry level pay, theres no arguing that, but entry level pay should include being able to live off of it, not live luxuriously but being able to cover the bare necessities.

 

[HM Spectre]

Price increases due to a minimum wage hike are generally way overblown. With companies invariably looking to maximize profits, prices tend to be set at the maximum the market will bear, which doesn't necessarily change just because your costs do (WDW tickets being an obvious example). Even when increased labor costs can be passed along to the consumer, the difference isn't typically very large (despite grossly exaggerated claims to the contrary).

As for job losses, just how many positions can most businesses actually cut? If you are already staffing just at the required level (like Disney, again), you are very limited in what positions can be eliminated and still be able to provide the expected product or level of service to your customers.

In theory, Disney could choose to increase their minimum wage which would in turn increase the quality of the cast member, generate more loyalty among the workforce and ideally bring the money back to the company in a variety of ways. The problem is that there's no way in hell you can argue that to investors if you've operated based on effiency to make money for so long. If the minimum wage were increased by $5, Iger was asked what he was going to do to maintain the same profitability and his response was "nothing," you'd have the street and the board calling for his head. I'm not arguing that it's right, I'm just saying that's how it is in today's reality.

I believe business should be "take care of your customers, take care of your employees and they'll take care of your bottom line and your shareholders" but all too often (and even at Disney) it's "take care of your bottom line and shareholders and they'll take care of your bank account." Unfortunately, it takes someone with real vision to run a business with a focus on quality to generate profit vs. a focus on the bottom line... and while that man used to be at the head of the company, his modern replacement pales in comparison.

 

[xdan0920]

Okie doke. Deleted. I need to get out of here before I get this thread shut down. Back to snarky comments and passable jokes for me. Enjoy the debate y'all.

 

[WDWDad13]

Okay the first bold statement is the only thing you have said that is anywhere close to being sensible. You're right, its not the employers job to ensure that an employee is living well outside of work, that responsibility is strictly on the employee, but it is the employers DUTY to GIVE them the tools they need to live. Not as in having the latest and greatest everything, or new cars, big houses. But enough to have 3 meals a day, keep gas in their car, and be able to pay rent, and cover living expenses. Which disney falls short on

As for your second statement, that is the most stupid comment I've ever heard. EVERY ONE WHO WORKS DESERVES A LIVABLE WAGE! thats the point of working, what is wrong with you to think that certain people deserve it and certain don't. If someone is willing to put forth the effort work, they deserve to make a wage they can live off of.

Yes entry level jobs deserve Entry level pay, theres no arguing that, but entry level pay should include being able to live off of it, not live luxuriously but being able to cover the bare necessities.

"give" should be "earn" ....therein lies the problem

everyone who works deserves a livable wage? I could find a way to live off of minimum wage if I had to... ex. if I didn't live alone, have a kid, pay for my directv drv, iPhone, phone plan, internet, clubbing costs, alcohol, etc. ya know... the things that aren't neccesity if you have little income from the job you have

 

[WDWDad13]

Might not be the worst idea to raise min wage, and then chop our behemoth of a government in, say, half? And reduce the amount of money being taken out of everyones pockets by Uncle Sam. Not just income taxes. But horsesh*t fees and taxes associated with operating a business. If Sammy boy was taking a smaller piece of the proverbial pie, there would be a heck of a lot more for the rest of us.

now THAT I would support... haha

 

[slappy magoo]

"this is part of the problem in this world now... exibit a) my job doesn't pay me what I want so I should be given free handouts because my neighbor who has worked harder in life has what I want"

This is the problem that we have in the world NOW - just look at the OCTOMOM !! No defined marketale skills and yet she has the freedom to make STUPID choices like that and still wear DESIGNER CLOTHES !!!

Really? We're talking about people who actually do work for a living and whether they ought to be able to earn a wage they can survive on without government assistance, and you compare them to one of the grossest (in every sense of the word) anomalies to the concept of single parent you know of?

 

[slappy magoo]

now THAT I would support... haha

Spare me. We have the lowest and most progressive tax rates of all the not-third-world nations. And the marginal tax rate in, say, Walt's living breathing days was much higher than it is now. Yet every time someone suggests the wealthiest pay a little more or the poorer get a little more protection from being impoverished, we cry socialism. Meanwhile, you argue that some people don't deserve a livable wage, which means they get government assistance which you then can also decry as socialism. I guess you want to make people suffer any which way you can.