WDW STRIKE Date Set For Firday November 19

[ztbz]

Just got word via email from a Shop Steward. I will post what was sent to me, except for a little bit of editing, this is official word from the Union.

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The moment everyone has been waiting for, we just got the word from today's meeting with Disney.

We asked for an increase on wages the company said NO.
We asked for an increase on bonuses the company said NO.
We asked for additional caps on healthcare the company said NO
We asked for the company to increase the pension the company said NO

The only change that was made was that a paid benefit would count towards the 30 hour weekly threshold.

So we are voting again on the same *@#& that we just voted on but, we have to vote again because of the change the company did make. The Disney did say that as of Thursday Night, there will be no more extensions, So this means that as of Thursday when we vote down the same CONTRACT we just voted on, we will be on STRIKE as of midnight Friday, November 19.

So everyone needs to get out and tell everyone in are area and all areas that we are voting again on Thursday November 18 2004 and at midnight we will be making history.

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That’s it, too bad it has to come to this.

Z

 

[KNWVIKING]

So here's what happens on Dec 5th: I check into VWL. I don't renew my AP's for fear of not getting my moneys worth in the parks so we'll head out to I-Drive, US/IOA and SW. Since we'll already be off property, we'll go ahead and eat out there. So at the end of the week I'll have had a great vacation. The strike did not ruin my trip, but the people out on the picket lines may be a little short on cash during the Christmas holiday. The union officials.... they'll survive just fine. The part timers will get more hours- and more money. The salaried supervisors will go back to their old jobs - and get paid twice as much to do it. And if a guest gets upset because their once in a lifetime trip they had planned a year ago is ruined, who do you think they'll blame ? The guy with the picket sign.

 

[ztbz]

Disney Union workers do have a Strike Fund setup in the event of a Strike.

 

[TimandTanya]

I know this probably sounds extremely selfish, but
@#$%^ , !@$#%$%, !@@$#%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My family has been planning a vacation all year, we are due to get there on Nov. 23, and spend Thanksgiving. I have been working really hard to make extra money so that this vacation does not dip into our hard earned, new house money.

AND NOW THIS!!!!!

Why can't we all just get along?

 

[fantasmic_01]

Question. You say that disney employees can strike as of nov 19 midnight but i read some article i found on the net that they can not strike until the first week of december if they were to decline again. Can you ask your source(shop steward) which one it is.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

The website of HERE Local 362, which is one of the groups represented by the Service Trades Council Union says that negotiations resumed today with the aid of a federal mediator.

It also says (and this is a direct copy/paste) "The move gives union negotiators the power to call a strike, which isn't planned for now."

(emphasis added was mine)

 

[kpk89]

That's terrible! I take it that there's never been a strike before, or even close to one?

 

[jgmklmhem]

I am reading mousetales...about DL and they have had a pretty big strike in 1984...and from what I understand Disney won most of what they wanted.

 

[Cris]

don't worry Disney is a big bully corporation and they will get their way.

 

[Bob O]

From what i have reasd, alot of employee's arent union members as FLA is a right to work state and that they have doubted the calls for a strike due to the fact FLA isnt a union state with union friendly laws like we have in the midwest.
And i agree with Viking, i will blame the strikers and have already bought 5 day passes for Universal. While we only paln to use 2/3 days worth of them, it will be wuite easy to use all 5 and visit disney for a day or two and save my unsed park hopper days for another visit.
But i dont think they will strike with so much money to be made once thanksgivivng starts.

 

[KNWVIKING]

***"Disney Union workers do have a Strike Fund setup in the event of a Strike."***

So did my father's. My dad traded an $800.00 paycheck for $50.00, two bags of groceries, a picket sign and a section of sidewalk to stand on in the middle of winter.

Of course, the union bosses got full paychecks each week and never knew how cold it was outside.

 

[DancingBear]

Originally posted by Cris
don't worry Disney is a big bully corporation and they will get their way.

What does this mean, exactly? Is Disney somehow able to skew the labor market on its own and pay less than what the market demands? Are Disney's workers less able than others to seek better-paying jobs from other employers?

 

[mom2rb]

I hope they work this out. I could never cross a picked line and walk into my father's house again.

 

[zulaya]

I am a little sick and tired of workers wanting a bigger bonus, a bigger raise to cover their higher health insurance premium.

Do they really think the rest of us are getting annual bonuses, raises and that our healthcare costs are staying the same?

Here's our situation:

My DH hasn't had a raise in 3 years. ZERO. Every year our health care costs have risen so he has basically received a pay cut for the past 3 years due to health care. Last year he did get an annual bonus, for the first time in 3 years.

And it's not because he isn't a good worker...the guy consistently gets one of the top employee reviews in his immediate group.

It's the fact that his field (tech) has stagnated AND that health care costs are completely out of control for EVERYONE!

How do these workers think they should get a better deal than every other worker who is seeing double digit percentage increases in their personal cost for health care coverage.

(taking deep breath now and stepping off soap box)

 

[dennis99ss]

zulaya, some people believe they are entitled to benefits, no matter the cost. Of course, when you don't pay the health care costs, since the employer does, you really don't care. (General you) Off my soapbox. I get to pay health premiums before I get a paycheck, but, its an entitlement. I would say strike away....Let them hire workers who are happy with the pay and benefits.

 

[dennis99ss]

From another thread, the Teamsters vote no because it would cut into overtime........go figure, not wanting Disney to hire more people.

 

[ginaforpeace]

Hello,

I am very concerned. I am due to get to Disney on Nov. 22nd. It's for my daughter's 6th birthday. I hope this event doesn't spoil our trip.

 

[DancingBear]

Originally posted by zulaya
I am a little sick and tired of workers wanting a bigger bonus, a bigger raise to cover their higher health insurance premium.

Do they really think the rest of us are getting annual bonuses, raises and that our healthcare costs are staying the same?

Here's our situation:

My DH hasn't had a raise in 3 years. ZERO. Every year our health care costs have risen so he has basically received a pay cut for the past 3 years due to health care. Last year he did get an annual bonus, for the first time in 3 years.

And it's not because he isn't a good worker...the guy consistently gets one of the top employee reviews in his immediate group.

It's the fact that his field (tech) has stagnated AND that health care costs are completely out of control for EVERYONE!

How do these workers think they should get a better deal than every other worker who is seeing double digit percentage increases in their personal cost for health care coverage.

But if your husband's industry wasn't stagnating--say it had taken a hit after 9/11 and was now recovering, would you not even think to ask for better money and benefits?

The CMs don't have an entitlement to what they are asking for, but both sides have the right to negotiate, and use their respective leverage (including a strike on the union side) to get an agreement they want.

 

[ztbz]

A New Update from the Teamsters Business agent to the Cast Members.

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Brothers and Sisters,

We are faced with choices in life. In the coming days you will have to make a important decision regarding striking at Disney. Federal Mediator Conrad Bowling was unsuccessful in getting Disney to review and change what they are asking of you. We asked the company to do all they can to avoid a strike. What we got was a definition on the new company proposed 30 hour rule to keep your full time status along with one another minor change. They would not budge on anything else in their offer. They said this is their best last and final offer and the talks broke off. In fact they threatened to not extend the contract past Thursday, take away any retro pay due and not pay the bonus until after the Christmas holiday if we don't take what is offered. These changes require us to bring the offer to you to vote again.

On Thursday we Vote No again and on Thursday night at midnight (or Friday Early Morning) we will have the right to go on strike against Disney for the unfair labor practices they have and continue to commit. I say to all of you, get ready to strike if you don't think the offer is fair. We have been in negotiations with the company for over 8 months and the time is here to take it or do something about it. We have been planning for this day for over two years and the time has come. I can assure you that no Outside Teamster Organization (i.e. UPS & Trucking companies among others) will cross the picket line to make deliveries to Walt Disney World. What we need to make sure of is that your co-worker does not cross. If we stand united we can take Disney out and get a fair deal. If we do go out on strike I will be standing with you at the parks. I am sure the DOT will be present to make sure of the publics safety if scabs take the wheel (of the Bus). We will not stop our other activities in the media either and we will continue to leaflet and hold rallies. We will continue to hit Disney with a full and complete strike plan in order to get a fair contract. If we strike for unfair labor practices they cannot hire
permanent replacement workers. Teamster strike pay is ten times your hourly rate per week. See you all there.


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Z

 

[fantasmic_01]

I cant believe what im reading you are encouraging your memebers to go on strike. Let me tell you i was on strike for over 9 months and all the wages i lost in those 9 months i will never recover. The people that crossed the picket line was horrrible there was tons of scabs willing to work for even less than what i was making. I worked for a warehouse we picketed not only the warehouse but the stores that we distributed to. We tried to hurt the company but it never made a dent in there sales the union kept saying to us hold the lines were hurting them now (yeah right) i was just disgusted at all the people that crossed our lines to still shop and these people had many alternatives to shop elsewhere. In the end we ended up excepting the final offer it was not much better than there last final offer but some of us had little choice some people were losing there homes getting into finaciall distress and the company was just sittiing back. Now lets look at your possible strike compared to mine the shoppers in my city had alternatives to go elsewhere out where you are people are coming from all around the world do you really think they are going to say " oh Look there on strike we cant go to disney now " WAKE UP that will never happen the tourists who spent tons of money to get there will continue to enter your park and im sure there must be some people out there that will cross the line (scabs) and work. Please explain to me how you plan on hurting such a big company Dont get me wrong i believe in unions for some companys but be honest with yourself read other people who are talking in other forums all these people are telling you they are going to cross your picket line. Disney for most is not something you just decide to do when you wake up in the morning its something that has been planned for months deposits have been put down on tickets acommdations airfares. Im not saying that i do agree with what disney is doing and offering the employees but from what i have read and heard from so many people on other forums most people are going to cross your line. All i can offer you is what i experienced and to say good luck if you do go out on strike because you will need it.