On Strike as of Today 5/28 at SWAN/DOLPHIN

[Laura]

I'm with you there too, Mercy. There are tons of other resorts to stay at, and some really nice ones just a stone's throw away. I would certainly switch hotels instead of crossing a picket line. But I'm not going to blame anyone who doesn't!

 

[disneyjunkie]

There's no way I could cross that picket line. I would just find another resort.

 

[DC Mouse]

I just wanted to take this chance to encourage anyone who is going over the next couple of days that if you can switch your reservation to another resort to at least think about it.

The people on strike are the ones who make the magic happen. And most of them can't afford to take their families someplace like Disney. They work for very low wages and don't have any guarantees of how many hours they can work, forget full time. The only weapon they have is to stand together and withhold their labor until they can achieve a fairer deal. If you don't think they need a fairer deal, check out Starwood's profits.

Yes, the strike is peaceful. But there are many more people on the strike line than management says. Think about it, why would they tell you otherwise? By continuing smooth operations, the hotel can "beat" the strike. This strike will have an effect on the hotel as there are many delivery unions and other types of union workers who will not cross picket lines.

Again, everyone must make their own choices, I just wanted to give ya'll something to think about. Thanks!

 

[wdisneyaholic]

How are you supposed to switch your reservations just days before a trip? Especially if you have a cheap rate. Are you just supposed to to pay full rack rate at some other hotel?

I feel really bad that workers have to strike. Maybe sending letters to the management and voicing your concerns about the workers is better. We are not crossing a picket line to work for the hotel, we are crossing the picket line to stay there. If teachers are on strike kids still need to be educated. Would you keep your kids out of school if the teachers were striking?

 

[jimmiej]

I have ressies beginning on June 14th. I checked on other nearby hotels(Y&B, BW) & they are all too expensive. Changing to a moderate or AllStars would cause severe changes in my itinerary. You may think bad of me, but I'm not changing. I've been looking forward to this location for a year. I hope the strike ends before I get there!

 

[Dumbo]

Unhappy employees do not make happy magic. Personally I would not stay at a hotel that was having labor problems. And I certainly would not eat at a restaurant that was having labor problems!


Dumbo

 

[Bimmy56]

My mother died in late March. Being an only child, I spent most of the 2 months before her death 500 miles away from my home to help her. The one thing that got me through this terrible time was to look forward to my trip to WDW at the Dolphin on June 15th with my daughter. I may be heartless, but yes, I will cross the picket line if I absolutely have to. However, this has done a lot to make me aware of what a tough life some of these employees must have, and how I personally should have been more generous with my tips to housekeeping. I will try to be more thoughtful from now on.

One thing does worry me - Will the shuttles and limo services from the airport cross the picket line? Does anyone know?

Thanks!!

 

[DISNEYWORLDBORN2SHOP]

Yes, they will. My co-worker who arrived at the Swan yesterday got there by shuttle.

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by wdisneyaholic
We are not crossing a picket line to work for the hotel, we are crossing the picket line to stay there. If teachers are on strike kids still need to be educated. Would you keep your kids out of school if the teachers were striking?

Kudos to you for putting this in perspective! These striking workers are on the sidelines to voice their opinions... to educate the patrons, & MOSTLY, to pressure the management. They absolutely do NOT want patrons to STOP visiting the Dolphin/Swan...as it would DEFEAT their purpose in the long run. After all, most of their jobs depend upon "patrons"! If I am having a cardiac arrest, and the nurses are out front of the Hospital striking...and I supposed to turn around/leave and risk death? Sorry...."I'm coming through"....and my sister is a Registered Nurse.

 

[tltjet]

My heart goes out to the people on the picket line. The only thing they want is to be treated fairly. I am booked for the Dolphin in September, but if they are still on strike when my final payment is due I am going to switch hotels. I am with all of you that will not cross a picket line.

 

[Mercy]

If I am having a cardiac arrest, and the nurses are out front of the Hospital striking...and I supposed to turn around/leave and risk death?

Hhmmm.... since when is staying at the S/D a matter of life and death?

 

[Ityldu]

If they are on strike when I'm there, I will do exactly what Dreamflt99 suggests. Wave and smile as I go by, then enjoy the time of my life. Just because people are picketing doesn't mean S/D is a horrible place. They are a business, going through difficult times just like the employees. They have to do what's needed to stay in business. Yes, I feel for the employees and I hope they get what they want, but that won't effect my vacation in the least.

I'm a teacher and I agree wholeheartedly with the person who posted about children still needing to be educated. Picketing is a part of life, life goes on, so will my vacation.

I think it was just last year or the year before that the people in the costumes at Disney went on strike. I didn't see anyone canceling their Disney vacations. And I'm sure Disney didn't lose any of the "magic" because of it.

To me, switching resorts is just ridiculous. S/D is just as "magical" as the Disney resorts and if you find that's not the truth, I can assure you it won't be because of the strike, but simply b/c S/D isn't your type of resort like the Contemporary isn't my type.

 

[lorilori]

Hi all. Has there been any indication how long they might expect the strike to last?

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by Mercy


Hhmmm.... since when is staying at the S/D a matter of life and death?

....For some of us...it is! (LOL) Vacation @ the S/D...makes the REAL WORLD bearable! (P.S....it's called a metaphor.)

*You Go Ityldu...VERY WELL EXPLAINED! (Teachers know best! ) I recall the "costumed" performers from WDW on strike too (great point). Life goes on...Strike or NO strike! When the airlines strike...folks continue to fly, etc.

 

[wdisneyaholic]

Dreamflight99,

You hit the nail on the head. I didn't see anyone canceling Disney when the Disney employees were on stike. Everyone continued to fly when the airlines were on strike. Why is this any different?

Many of us having been planning these trips for months. Many of us are traveling with children and other family and friends. Many of us have invested alot of time and money into our vacations. I will be there strike or no strike.

The more people that cancel their stays, the less business the S/D gets. The easier it is to just lay the stikers off. The more business they get the more they need the workers.

 

[Jen80370]

I was always taught it is employees who shouldn't cross a picket line, not customers. If all of the customers go away, the company goes belly up and the employees have no jobs to return to.

If you want to support them, call and email the resort asking them to meet the demands. Show them your support by walking in and mentioning to management how you agree with them.

Staying away equals silence and silence equals no progress. JMHO. I'd always much prefer to make a stink. Email Starwood Corporate and voice your support.

I loved DF99's point...if you needed to go to a hospital and nurses were on strike, would you leave?

Do you keep your kids home when teachers strike? No. You voice your concerns and live your life. There is a difference between a strike and a boycott. A strike involves labor. If you are not involved directly, you are not responsible for joining in. I for one send an email every day in support, and I remind them how many people are cancelling. A boycott is another matter entirely. The staff has not asked for a boycott.

 

[NancyIL]

Excellent points, Jen and Lisa!

 

[m&m's mom]

I don't know ALL of the specifics. But in case no one has noticed there is a little thing called the economy that pretty much stinks now. I do not think this would be the most effective time. But them again I am from Texas and there is rarely a strike down here, except airlines.
I would most definitely NOT have a problem crossing a picket line.

 

[corndog]

Let's try to put a Disney spin on this and look at it in another light.

Unions demand equal pay for unequal work. They don't think the level of contribution should affect the level of compensation. Everybody should be paid the same.

What if all the Disney resorts all charged the same rate for a night's stay? Would that be fair to us, the consumer? Would you be just as willing to stay at the All Star Music for $300/night as you would the Grand Floridian? I'm guessing not. That's because the GF has more to offer than the ASMu, thus it's higher price. Paying the same amount for each resort is like paying every member in the union same for different work. It just isn't right.

Unions should be considered unconstitutional as a infringement on a person's right to contract.

Besides, how can you really consider the institutional S/D part of the Disney magic? I don't understand that.

 

[Kitty 34]

Originally posted by Ityldu
If they are on strike when I'm there, I will do exactly what Dreamflt99 suggests. Wave and smile as I go by, then enjoy the time of my life. Just because people are picketing doesn't mean S/D is a horrible place. They are a business, going through difficult times just like the employees. They have to do what's needed to stay in business. Yes, I feel for the employees and I hope they get what they want, but that won't effect my vacation in the least.

I'm a teacher and I agree wholeheartedly with the person who posted about children still needing to be educated. Picketing is a part of life, life goes on, so will my vacation.

I think it was just last year or the year before that the people in the costumes at Disney went on strike. I didn't see anyone canceling their Disney vacations. And I'm sure Disney didn't lose any of the "magic" because of it.

To me, switching resorts is just ridiculous. S/D is just as "magical" as the Disney resorts and if you find that's not the truth, I can assure you it won't be because of the strike, but simply b/c S/D isn't your type of resort like the Contemporary isn't my type.

Thankyou for making me feel better about going next week!! After months of planning, it would have been extremely hard to "just" switch to another resort!!