Strike!

[Wizard69]

This is from the UFCW web site.

March 15, 2006 · 4:35 pm

Negotiations are still underway as of this posting and may continue long into the night.

Although your contract is due to expire at midnight, Castmembers are advised that we are working under an extension until further notice. Report for your shifts on time.

You will be notified as to the time and place that you will vote on your employer's final offer.

Further information will be posted here when it becomes available.


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March 14, 2006

Disneyland negotiations continue with little progress to report at this time. Negotiations are scheduled for all day tomorrow, March 15. In addition, the Unions have informed the company negotiators that if progress is being made, we are prepared to continue negotiating beyond the contract expiration date, if necessary, in an effort to arrive at a fair and equitable contract settlement.

At this time, the big issues remain unresolved. These include adequate wage increases for current cast members and the company's proposal for a new hire cast member earning $8.00 / hour with no wage progression, no vacation and only 4 paid holidays. While company negotiators are convinced that current cast members will not stand up for future cast members, we are certain that any contract offer which undermines the economic opportunities for either current or future cast members will not be accepted by a majority of the membership.

Your bargaining committee has been united and strong and the message we have sent to the company is clear - come back with a fair contract offer or a dispute is likely. It is critical that all cast members send this same message by remaining strong and united and prepared. Over the next day or two, we will continue to negotiate and we hope that with your support, we will prevail.

Please check back for an update later this week.


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March 9, 2006

While discussions with negotiators for Disneyland have been lively and extensive, your company continues to refuse to present written proposals that address your core concerns. As of this morning, Disneyland had not yet proposed any wage increase for current cast members. Your union has proposed a 3 year agreement with a 9% increase the first year, 7% the second year and 7% the third year. In addition we have proposed an equity adjustment for merchandise cast members and increased premiums for specialty positions.

On Friday morning, March 10, a press conference will be held at Disney's annual share holder meeting at the Anaheim Pond. Cast members and local politicians will appeal to Disney's share holders to recognize the hard work and dedication of the employees represented by the Master Services Council.

Disney's proposal to redefine full time as 30 hours and to create a new lower paid, non benefited class of employees is unacceptable. Both of these proposals undermine the future job security of the hard working cast members who have produced record profits for Disneyland and made the 50th anniversary celebration so successful.

Negotiations are scheduled to continue daily through March 15. Please check back here for further updates.


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March 2, 2006

After 5 days of negotiations with Disneyland, there is little progress to report. The big issues which were part of Disney's proposal in October 2005 and which resulted in the Unions walking away from the bargaining table remain on Disney's "must have" list. These include: a new definition for full time employees of 30 hours per week, a new eligibility requirement restricting medical benefits to full time employees only, a new lower paid casual regular employee with limited opportunity for advancement, no vacation time and only 3 holidays for newly hired casual regulars and a college program which would completely disregard the principles of seniority.

Your Unions are staying strong and united at the bargaining table. The UFCW negotiating committee consists of Laurinda Fiddler, Coleen Palmer, Kit Wilson, Rocky Pebley, Jamie Sessions and Andrea Zinder. The UFCW, SEIU, Teamsters and Candy Makers are united in our negotiating strategy and are speaking through one voice. Union proposals include wage increases each year (totaling 23% over a 3 year contract plus a one time wage adjustment for all merchandise cast members) a medical plan with no employee premium, matching contributions to a 401(k) plan and an improvement in the defined benefit pension plan and increased premiums for leads and schedulers.

Your contract expires on March 15. We will be negotiating up through the contract expiration. We will continue to keep you informed of any progress through this web site. In the meantime, your strength and solidarity will make a difference in the outcome of these negotiations. Together we will prevail.

[goose]

What's the news? Is it still unresolved?

[Wizard69]

March 16, 2006
NEGOTIATIONS 2006 MEMBER UPDATE

After 10 full negotiating sessions, bargaining broke off late evening on March 15, 2006 with the parties agreeing to extend the contract on a day to day basis and call in a federal mediator to assist in trying to bring the negotiations to a peaceful conclusion. During this time, all terms and conditions of your contract are in full force and effect. Major issues remain unresolved. These include: fair and adequate wage increases for current employees and the company’s insistence on undermining current employees’ job security by hiring a new low paid worker with no opportunity for advancement. Your union bargaining committee is strong and united on these issues. Disney cast members work hard, have created record profits for the company and deserve to be recognized with proper wage increases. Future cast members must be paid fairly and have the same opportunities as current cast members in order to maintain the high standards Disney cast members are currently held to. We will keep you informed of our progress. In the meantime, remain strong and united. Only through your solidarity will we prevail.

Sincerely and fraternally, MASTER SERVICES JOINT COUNCIL
UFCW Local 324 IBT Local 495
Greg M. Conger Bob Lennox President Secretary-Treasurer

SEIU Local 1877 BCT Local 83
Mike Garcia John Corente President Financial Secretary-Treasurer

[BRWombat]

Interesting new strike analysis on MiceAge here.

[Wizard69]

UFCW Local 324 * IBT Local 495 * SEIU Local 1877 * BCT LOCAL 83
MASTER SERVICES JOINT COUNCIL
March 22, 2006

To All Disneyland Master Services Cast Members: We have reached a settlement with Disneyland for a new collective bargaining agreement which has the full recommendation of your bargaining committee. This offer will be completely explained and you will have the opportunity to vote by secret ballot on the offer as follows:

DATE: TIME: LOCATION:
Saturday, March 25, 2006 9:00 A.M. – 10:30 A.M. UFCW Local 324 – Upstairs Auditorium 8530 Stanton Ave. Buena Park, CA 90620 AND VOTING WILL CONTINUE

DATE: TIME: LOCATION:
Saturday, March 25, 2006 11:30 A.M. – 7:00 P.M. Millionaire Theater - Disney’s California Adventure

A formal meeting will be held only at 9:00 a.m. All day voting with explanation from bargaining committee members will continue for the remainder of the day. Due to the very important matters to be decided, it is critical that everyone make an effort to participate in this vote.

Sincerely and fraternally, MASTER SERVICES JOINT COUNCIL UFCW Local 324 IBT Local 495 Greg M. Conger Bob Lennox President Secretary-Treasurer SEIU Local 1877 BCT Local 83 Mike Garcia John Corente President Financial Secretary-Treasurer

I urge everyone to vote no on the contract and also for a strike if the terms are not that good for the cast members!

Even if you are planning to cross the picket line, please vote for a strike so those of us who want to strike can!

We need to show those idiots at TDA that we mean business when it comes to screwing over the cast members! That we won't take it anymore!

Thank you!!!!

[IdiotsAreEverywhere]

For all the abuse you guys take in a day. You should be earning a millionaire's salary. Kind of pathetic how you guys are still being paid the same amount per hour in the early 80's and now.

[CBeilby]

As someone who is interested in hopefully coming back in a few months, preferably into attractions, is there anyone who would be able to tell me some of the details of the contract proposal, particularly with respect to health benefits?

[Wizard69]

So what did everyone vote?

[Main Streeter]

So what did everyone vote?

Strike....with sadness & great fear. MacDonald's $1 menu & tent may be in my future. :(

[Wizard69]

Strike....with sadness & great fear. MacDonald's $1 menu & tent may be in my future. :(

So you voted no?

The mods on Miceage took away my post access after I blasted APs. What a bunch of fucking losers. After I told them how they have that entitlement mentality on the "Strike" thread over there.