Should cast members be paid more?

[just another guy]

Anyone seen this video yet?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubqZNb_UO-8

 

[RayaniFoxmur]

The comments on that video just made me really sad.

It's so easy for people to say (my responses in red) "So go get an education costs money or get a new job what new jobs? and stop whining". Is it so hard for an employer like Disney to pay a living wage?

 

[momof1princess]

how sad that the people who make our vacations special can't support their families on what disney pays them.

 

[GeorgeG]

Even taken with a huge grain of the proverbial salt, it's obvious things are bad.

 

[Micca]

While the slant to the union is obvious, it is clear there are issues here. Perhaps the Disney folks should revisit A Bugs Life. There's a lesson there.

 

[arminnie]

People - it's supply and demand. As long as they can hire people at those wages they have no incentive to pay any more. Let there be hiring shortages and the wages will jump.

Just because you love a job doesn't mean that someone is going to love to pay you a lot of money to do it.

 

[tvguy]

Funny, those workers were delighted with that contract when it was signed......before the recession hit, and unemployment soared.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2007-10-12/business/DISNEY12_1_walt-disney-timers-service-trades

Sorry, not buying it.

 

[okeydokey]

$8 an hour after being there three years is pretty pathetic.

 

[Micca]

People - it's supply and demand. As long as they can hire people at those wages they have no incentive to pay any more. Let there be hiring shortages and the wages will jump.

Just because you love a job doesn't mean that someone is going to love to pay you a lot of money to do it.

I agree with Arminnie saying strictly from an economic standpoint. You could apply this principle to any fast food or retails scenario and you'd be right on.

However, the WDW CMs may be the same type of people on the surface, but there's more than meets the eye. This isn'ty the drive-through at McDonalds.
This is what may be the one "trip of a lifetime" for a family. This may be the trip that converts Harry Potter fans into Pinocchio fans. This may be the trip that seals the deal for the next generation of fans who will remain loyal to Disney for generations to come. You're leaving that in the hands of someone hearingthe same wage as someone working at Arby's??? (they don't have to create magic, just get the beef on the roll).

 

[Feralpeg]

Funny, those workers were delighted with that contract when it was signed......before the recession hit, and unemployment soared.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2007-10-12/business/DISNEY12_1_walt-disney-timers-service-trades

Sorry, not buying it.

A lot of CMs at WDW are not members of the union, but are paid under the same benefit structure. I wouldn't say that most of the CMs were thrilled with the prior agreement. In fact, they don't have a lot of say in things. The union negotiators work out the deal and they live with it. They need their jobs...especially now when the unemployment rate in the Orlando area is very high.

I was a WDW CM. I did not join the union because the cost of the union dues from my paycheck was too high. When you're only making minimum wage, it's difficult to give any of it up. Of course, most CMs at WDW are part time employees. That isn't by choice. It's hard to become a full time CM. Disney prefers to keep most of the CMs in the part time category.

Part time CMs do not receive all of the benefits of the full time employees. They don't get any paid vacation or sick leave. They can purchase some health care benefits, but it is very little and expensive. Heath care benefits for full time CMs are much better, but it is about $60 a week for an individual. Remember, even full time CMs make minimum wage or a little higher. Only managers and above are in salaried positions.

I was a part time CM and originally signed up to work two days a week. I was scheduled for five days a week much of the time. When you sign on, you get to specify two days a week for which they cannot schedule you. Those were the only days they did not schedule me. They always needed people to work and would pressure you to work. Of course, you could not call in sick or take a personal day without getting a point. After working a 40 hour week, I normally netted about $235.00. I did not have anything taken from my check other than taxes. CMs who have union dues and/or health insurance taken from their checks net much less.

I know many WDW CMs who work two to three jobs to survive. Many families share homes with other families because they cannot afford a home on just their pay. I know one woman who is diabetic and often goes without her medication because she cannot afford it. She helps support her daughter (also a CM) and grandchildren.

Of course, there are many people in jobs, other than CMs, who make terrible money and have a hard time getting by. CMs are not the only people struggling in this country, but it is a little hard to watch when you see the amount of money that goes into Disney's pockets on a daily basis. Being in a vacation area, where people throw money around like water, is difficult to swallow when you are one of those struggling to just survive. Fortunately, that is not my situation and I no longer work for Disney. It is hard to watch many wonderful people I have met, since I moved to Orlando, who do work for Disney and lead such difficult lives. But, as another poster pointed out, the situation will not change as long as their are so many people who desperately need work. Another factor that keeps the pay low is the availability Disney has to college program CMs. They hire these kids for short periods of time and work them long, long hours. Then, they turn around and charge them rent. It's a great deal for Disney. They get loads of cheap labor and the majority of what they pay the labor goes back in their pocket. Can't beat that deal. No need to hire more expensive labor when this pool never ends.

 

[dakcp2001]

As a former castmember I feel for these employees. We worked days , nights,weekends, and holidays. Disney owns you. I used to work a ton of ot shifts and I still had to charge my gas & groceries. I eventually had to leave when my car was on its last leg becauase I knew I could not afford a new one while working there.

Oh and if we wanted a second job, you had to get approval from your manager. A lot of time they said no because it cut into your availability. These are the same managers that had several jobs themselves to make ends meet.


I loved working at Disney, and being part of the magic, I hated that I had to live on Ramen Noodles and credit cards.

I support them and hope they get what they need to survive.

 

[Feralpeg]

As a former castmember I feel for these employees. We worked days , nights,weekends, and holidays. Disney owns you. I used to work a ton of ot shifts and I still had to charge my gas & groceries. I eventually had to leave when my car was on its last leg becauase I knew I could not afford a new one while working there.

Oh and if we wanted a second job, you had to get approval from your manager. A lot of time they said no because it cut into your availability. These are the same managers that had several jobs themselves to make ends meet.


I loved working at Disney, and being part of the magic, I hated that I had to live on Ramen Noodles and credit cards.

I support them and hope they get what they need to survive.

Well said. To those folks who commented on the YouTube video, it's easy to say that people should go elsewhere. Where? Finding any job in Orlando right now is difficult. Not everyone working at WDW has a degree that will allow them to walk into a nice job somewhere else. They are just hard working individuals trying to take care of their families. They do feel trapped.

Recently, I saw, on the news, a story about a man who was at the door of Jobs Central each morning when it opened trying to find any kind of job. He has been out of work for months. He can't find anything. He is living, with his family, in a storage shed. This month, his unemployment benefits end. Things are tough in Orlando right now. Just where do people expect Disney CMs to go?

 

[Belle0101]

Well said. To those folks who commented on the YouTube video, it's easy to say that people should go elsewhere. Where? Finding any job in Orlando right now is difficult. Not everyone working at WDW has a degree that will allow them to walk into a nice job somewhere else. They are just hard working individuals trying to take care of their families. They do feel trapped.

Recently, I saw, on the news, a story about a man who was at the door of Jobs Central each morning when it opened trying to find any kind of job. He has been out of work for months. He can't find anything. He is living, with his family, in a storage shed. This month, his unemployment benefits end. Things are tough in Orlando right now. Just where do people expect Disney CMs to go?

That is so incredibly sad.

 

[allison443]

Another factor that keeps the pay low is the availability Disney has to college program CMs. They hire these kids for short periods of time and work them long, long hours. Then, they turn around and charge them rent. It's a great deal for Disney. They get loads of cheap labor and the majority of what they pay the labor goes back in their pocket. Can't beat that deal. No need to hire more expensive labor when this pool never ends.

I am only familiar with the college program from reading about it on these boards....what exactly is the draw? Is it competitive? It's not like a real internship with the Disney corporation or anything is it? Do kids earn college credit for things like operating a ride/working in maintenance? Is it basically like taking a semester of school to work at a theme park? (I know, besides the fact that it is Disney!!)

 

[allison443]

A lot of CMs at WDW are not members of the union, but are paid under the same benefit structure. I wouldn't say that most of the CMs were thrilled with the prior agreement. In fact, they don't have a lot of say in things. The union negotiators work out the deal and they live with it. They need their jobs...especially now when the unemployment rate in the Orlando area is very high.

I was a WDW CM. I did not join the union because the cost of the union dues from my paycheck was too high. When you're only making minimum wage, it's difficult to give any of it up. Of course, most CMs at WDW are part time employees. That isn't by choice. It's hard to become a full time CM. Disney prefers to keep most of the CMs in the part time category.

Part time CMs do not receive all of the benefits of the full time employees. They don't get any paid vacation or sick leave. They can purchase some health care benefits, but it is very little and expensive. Heath care benefits for full time CMs are much better, but it is about $60 a week for an individual. Remember, even full time CMs make minimum wage or a little higher. Only managers and above are in salaried positions.

I was a part time CM and originally signed up to work two days a week. I was scheduled for five days a week much of the time. When you sign on, you get to specify two days a week for which they cannot schedule you. Those were the only days they did not schedule me. They always needed people to work and would pressure you to work. Of course, you could not call in sick or take a personal day without getting a point. After working a 40 hour week, I normally netted about $235.00. I did not have anything taken from my check other than taxes. CMs who have union dues and/or health insurance taken from their checks net much less.

I know many WDW CMs who work two to three jobs to survive. Many families share homes with other families because they cannot afford a home on just their pay. I know one woman who is diabetic and often goes without her medication because she cannot afford it. She helps support her daughter (also a CM) and grandchildren.

Of course, there are many people in jobs, other than CMs, who make terrible money and have a hard time getting by. CMs are not the only people struggling in this country, but it is a little hard to watch when you see the amount of money that goes into Disney's pockets on a daily basis. Being in a vacation area, where people throw money around like water, is difficult to swallow when you are one of those struggling to just survive. Fortunately, that is not my situation and I no longer work for Disney. It is hard to watch many wonderful people I have met, since I moved to Orlando, who do work for Disney and lead such difficult lives. But, as another poster pointed out, the situation will not change as long as their are so many people who desperately need work. Another factor that keeps the pay low is the availability Disney has to college program CMs. They hire these kids for short periods of time and work them long, long hours. Then, they turn around and charge them rent. It's a great deal for Disney. They get loads of cheap labor and the majority of what they pay the labor goes back in their pocket. Can't beat that deal. No need to hire more expensive labor when this pool never ends.

Thank you for sharing your first hand knowledge of the situation.

 

[dvcblt93]

The Union should really proof watch these videos though...

I recognize the third CM interviewed....

She is a full time server at 1900 Park Fare...

Probably bringing home well over $60,000!

 

[dakcp2001]

The Union should really proof watch these videos though...

I recognize the third CM interviewed....

She is a full time server at 1900 Park Fare...

Probably bringing home well over $60,000!

Have you seen her paystubs? Or is this your assumption?

 

[dvcblt93]

Have you seen her paystubs? Or is this your assumption?

Pretty easy to figure out...


1900 Park fare is $35.99 an adult...

4 tables of 4 people, 3 times a night...15% tip is ....$259.00 a night..

5 nights is $1259.00

Times 52 weeks is $65,468!

Now that doesnt factor in kids prices, people who tip less at a buffet, discounts, vacation time, or all sorts of other things....

I'm just saying, if the Unions at Disney want to play hardball, they need to pick someone other than the employee who has a pretty damn good job!

 

[dakcp2001]

So it is your assumption. That is what I thought. So many holes in your theory, obviously you have never waitressed.

Some people dont tip at buffets. Some people tip less at buffets. Some people tip less at sit downs. Some people do not tip at all, and sit at the table for hours drinking coffee. 4 tables of 4 every night is a nice guess in theory. Everyone leaving 15% is also a nice theory.

As a former waitress there are money nights, when it is busy where you make decent money but there are also empty weeknights. And you do realize that people have to staff other meals than dinner? Ever had to rely on tips?

 

[David80]

I am only familiar with the college program from reading about it on these boards....what exactly is the draw? Is it competitive? It's not like a real internship with the Disney corporation or anything is it? Do kids earn college credit for things like operating a ride/working in maintenance? Is it basically like taking a semester of school to work at a theme park? (I know, besides the fact that it is Disney!!)

No, its not a true internship, but it does look good on a resume to anyone not from FL.

The recruiters at colleges fluff it up a bit, and make it sounds not like slave labor. Yes you can get college credits if you attend the couple classes disney offers in a couple categories. A lot of the kids don't though. Most kids do the program to get away. Its a semester break in FL, which is awesome if you are from OK, IA, KY or other less than exciting land locked states. You work 40-50 hours a week. Your pay checks are maybe a $150 after taxes and what disney takes from you as rent. The plus is free admission to all the parks. Plus you are shoved into dorm like setups with a lot of strangers. This gives you a new chance to meet people, party, interact with the opposite sex etc. 99% of their paychecks are spent within 6 days on stuff from disney items, basic food and alcohol, day trips to the beach, weekend trip to Miami or Tampa, etc. A lot of the kids bring some savings, like a grand or two, and 4-6 months later leave with only enough for a plane ticket home, and lots of memories.

Basically its work 8-10 hours, party, get a little sleep and repeat.