I am speechless

[andyman8]

The following is a short documentary called MouseTrapped. I found it on YouTube. I am in tears and am shocked. I have grown up with Disney all my life and feel disgusted by them now. I warn you, this is difficult to watch. Just wanted to hear your reaction and see if anyone knows anything about this 'contract'?

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5BMQ3xQc7o&annotation_id=annotation_764446&feature=iv
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldzviVd8xKc&feature=related

Happy Thanksgiving

P.S. Sorry, did not know where to post this.

 

[stargazertechie]

It's a slightly better than minimum wage job in a tourist area that has a moderate cost of living. I have several CM friends who are more than happy working at the World.

 

[Dizneefamily+4]

It's a slightly better than minimum wage job in a tourist area that has a moderate cost of living. I have several CM friends who are more than happy working at the World.

Exactly this. And I too have friends that are perfectly happy with their job at WDW. I am also a union employee (County employee) and am quite pro-union (in the right settings), but I view this video as union propoganda.

 

[KingofSwing3000]

I LOVE Disney. Was a CP. Been going over 20 years. 500 days in the Parks. Worked in Hospitalty there for the past three years. Alas, this vid and books like Mousecatraz are sad... but true. Cast Members are AMAZING and hard workers. I've been in their shoes. Pay is... not exactly great. But to be totally fair, though, most places in central Florida pay zilch, and plenty of companies and jobs in the US aren't great. Disney has its perks. It really, really does. Just plan to budget.

 

[JCH]

The following is a short documentary called MouseTrapped. I found it on YouTube. I am in tears and am shocked. I have grown up with Disney all my life and feel disgusted by them now. I warn you, this is difficult to watch. Just wanted to hear your reaction and see if anyone knows anything about this 'contract'?

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5BMQ3xQc7o&annotation_id=annotation_764446&feature=iv
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldzviVd8xKc&feature=related

Happy Thanksgiving

P.S. Sorry, did not know where to post this.

I only watched the first half, but it seems that these people are all unskilled labor making minimum wage. That is not to be unexpected in an industry like theme parks. Employees are paid based on skill sets. Not everyone is making minimum wage. If Disney is completely out line and off base in the pay for these individuals, then wouldn't they easily be able to jump ship and head over to Universal or Sea World or one of the hundreds of hotels? Florida is a right to work state, so they can leave whenever they please.

The video also seems a bit counter productive. Are they expecting rasies while putting out a video that causes people to second guess going to Disney, thereby lowering profits?

Some people also mention the college program in the comments on the video, but people have to realize that the college program is an internship. Many internships pay nothing, without providing housing, so the Disney gig isn't all that awful comparatively.

 

[larryz]

I wonder why the corporate lawyers haven't DCMA'd the film off of YouTube based on unauthorized use of their copyrighted tilt-shift film on the MK...

 

[mjp12831]

I started watching this prop and couldn't get through the first two interviews.

WDW is a public company, their goal is to be profitable for their shareholders - it's a free and open market economy we're in. Employees don't have a right to employer provided health insurance, or to any particular wage. Employers are under no obligation to provide certain benefits or wages.

Presumably, if the wages and benefits were too low, WDW wouldn't be able to attract and retain employees.

 

[amzking]

Last I heard McDonald's pays minimum wage too. Where is that documentary?

Minimum wage is for entry-level, unskilled positions. It is not designed to be able to raise a family with.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

This isn't exactly Disney-specific. High-demand jobs that require no formal education/work experience? On what planet is a job like that known for its monetary compensation?

 

[Mitzicat]

I wonder why the corporate lawyers haven't DCMA'd the film off of YouTube based on unauthorized use of their copyrighted tilt-shift film on the MK...

Agree!

There are so many things I could argue...but bottom line, if you are not making the money then find a job somewhere else. Or right we are in a slumped economy and there aren't any jobs. That's funny everywhere has "help wanted" or "now hiring" signs. While it is not the best in many cases...sometimes a second job helps a lot.

I know I am going to get flamed....sorry this is just a sore subject with me.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

This thread is better suited for the Theme Parks Community board, so I've moved it here.

 

[UWGRAD]

Another useless example of mindless UNION drivel. Just another request of people wanting Socialism in a Capitalistic economy.

I have no doubt that Disney pays people minimum wage or barely above...but no one has put a gun to their heads and told them they can't find a better job. People act like they don't have a choice in how they live their lives anymore. Stop trying to pass blame on everyone else for whats wrong and stand up and take action for yourself. If you are underpaid FIND A NEW JOB.

They raise one valid point that employees make Disney, which is the case for any company. Running a company like Disney is a fine balancing act between employee pay and customer pricing. People much more qualified than those who made this documentary will continue to succeed in that delicate balancing act just like they have the past 40 years. That's why I don't put any thought into this type of "rag" documentary. Disney is doing just fine with its BRAND and I bet all you disgruntled "hostages" working there have people waiting to eagerly replace you.

Having said all that, there are many people out there who are in desperate need of things (NOT BECAUSE OF DISNEY). Please remember to find what you can in terms of food, toys, money or even your time to contribute to those less fortunate than you.

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Holiday’s to All.

 

[eliza61]

Last I heard McDonald's pays minimum wage too. Where is that documentary?

Minimum wage is for entry-level, unskilled positions. It is not designed to be able to raise a family with.

Unfortunately it's becoming a way of life. The problem is mult-faceted.

1) good manufacturing jobs are gone. we've shipped them oversees.
2) this country's education system is now at the bottom 1/3 of the worlds. so in areas that pay good salaries we are not competitive.
3) College tuition is off the hook, so now even if you wanted to get an education you will probably end up in hock.

 

[CentralFloridian99]

Just be glad Bob Iger is stepping down in 2015

 

[eliza61]

Another useless example of mindless UNION drivel. Just another request of people wanting Socialism in a Capitalistic economy.

I have no doubt that Disney pays people minimum wage or barely above...but no one has put a gun to their heads and told them they can't find a better job. People act like they don't have a choice in how they live their lives anymore. Stop trying to pass blame on everyone else for whats wrong and stand up and take action for yourself. If you are underpaid FIND A NEW JOB. They raise one valid point that employees make Disney, which is the case for any company. Running a company like Disney is a fine balancing act between employee pay and customer pricing. People much more qualified than those who made this documentary will continue to succeed in that delicate balancing act just like they have the past 40 years. That's why I don't put any thought into this type of "rag" documentary. Disney is doing just fine with its BRAND and I bet all you disgruntled "hostages" working there have people waiting to eagerly replace you.

Having said all that, there are many people out there who are in desperate need of things (NOT BECAUSE OF DISNEY). Please remember to find what you can in terms of food, toys, money or even your time to contribute to those less fortunate than you.

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Holiday’s to All.

LOL. where? I ask this for the approxiamete 9 million unemployed people?

I love all the "just get a job responses". Please tell me where all these so called great paying jobs are?

I have tons of clients at my churchs homeless shelter that would gladly move from NJ to another state. So please anyone who's area is not experiencing the ~10% unemployment, please pm me.

 

[supernova]

I'm not speechless at all. I have two friends who work for Disney, one retired, and all they do is complain about the miserable wages and the awful benefits/pension. What we need to remember is that it's a job at an amusement park. You wouldn't take a job at Six Flags and expect to be making $20/hr to operate a ride or sell a hotdog. Why should this be any different?

 

[LilyWDW]

This isn't exactly Disney-specific. High-demand jobs that require no formal education/work experience? On what planet is a job like that known for its monetary compensation?

Exactly...

If people don't like working for the wage or benefits they are or are not getting, then they are free to look for work elsewhere. No company is required to pay more then minimum wage. It's not like they don't tell you what the pay is before you take the job. You made a decision... don't complain later that it wasn't fair. If it wasn't fair, then why take the job? What changed it?

 

[UWGRAD]

And thats Disney's problem how Eliza??? My point is don't complain about the terms of employment you have, you don't get the luxury of setting your own terms.

Well you can I guess set your own terms by finding a job that abides by them. That's my point.

Clearly you swing from the left side of the plate...but I will agree with one of your points. College tuition is stupidly high.

 

[jeepwreck]

I have always wanted to work for Disney since I was a little kid. And since I am in the architectural field now my dream job would be to work for Disney in their architecture dept., and design new rides and sets.


But this is just like any large corporation, there is always going to be people who feel they are miss treated and under paid when the company as a whole makes soo much money. But I would still love to work there.

 

[bellamama]

I agree with everyone who reminded that unskilled labor for minimum wage IS fair. There are no guarantees in life , especially not where jobs are concerned, and especially not in this economy.
While I certainly feel that hard work should be rewarded with wages as appropriate, I wonder how every college-educated or 20-years-on-the-job worker would feel if the cheerful young adult who helps them at the ticket desk were making a similar paycheck?