I'm trying to figure out how the unions work.

[Shorty82]

I've never worked anywhere covered by a union so I know very little about them. I know that the unions were who negotiated the CM contracts but that's about it.

I know there are shop stewards I can call on who will represent me in disputes with management and all but I don't know anything more about them. Other than being introduced to one in passing (and promptly forgot his name) during training I don't even know who they are for my area.

All I really know about the unions is from the passing overview right before Traditions and the little bit about them that I've seen on SGT. I haven't heard a thing about the union since that day. This is with signing up with the union and my weekly dues being taken from my paycheck automatically.

I have a card from the union rep I met during the overview. I can contact the union directly but I thought I'd first ask about it here.

[CMGUY89]

I'd like to know too because I am going full-time. From what I know the bid lines show standard days off and areas where you will typically be scheduled. You big your top 10 lines and then they assign them based on seniority. But overall I don't know too much about it's involvement, other than the fact that I'd like to steer clear from it.

[Zazu]

The Unions at WDW work, in a word, poorly. But that's largely because of the transient nature of the workforce, Florida laws which don't permit closed shops (meaning nobody has to join the union), and the generally low participation.

There's also a lot of difference between the various Unions in the STC. Unite/HERE, which represented me when I worked attractions, was excellent, proactive, and led the negotiations this time around. I served as a shop steward for them, despite being CR, and was fulling involved and kept well informed. Now I have a new union because I'm working in the hotel, and it's so worthless I can't even remember the name of it. I've seen absolutely zip from them in two years, including the last contract election.

I'm this close from dropping my membership until and unless they shape up.

But do please call the number on that card, and meet your business agent. Even if your local steward isn't active, the union may be good enough to be worth participating.

Some will argue that the only advantage to union membership is being allowed to vote for the contract the Company stuffs down our throats, especially as the Union must represent us on demand, even if we never pay a dime in dues. But it takes a healthy union to back us up. Unite/HERE has gotten CMs reinstated with back pay and seniority after unjust terminations -- the process is slow, but we're talking about more than $43,000 in back pay!

I believe that a healthy union is needed when the employer is as large as Disney and behaves as if frontline CMs are interchangable and disposable. I thus invite you to join your union and get involved in making it stronger.


[The above political statement was not paid for by anyone, but I'm open to take donations.]

[Shorty82]

Thanks, Zazu. I'm a member of my union, I signed up at the introduction meeting before Traditions.

Do you know anything about how good UFCW Local 1625? That's my union. Maybe on my next day off I'll give the union a call and see what I can learn.

[Zazu]

Thanks, Zazu. I'm a member of my union, I signed up at the introduction meeting before Traditions.

Do you know anything about how good UFCW Local 1625? That's my union. Maybe on my next day off I'll give the union a call and see what I can learn.

Nope, don't know a thing about UFCW or I'd have said. Let me know what you decide about them.

[EeyoresButterfly]

I don't know the number, but I've seen some of the workings of the entertainment union. In entertainment it seems the union is at least semi-powerful. The unions can help negotiate contracts, if you get into trouble you can call on a shop steward to represent you at a meeting with the managers.

[Shorty82]

Nope, don't know a thing about UFCW or I'd have said. Let me know what you decide about them.

Will do. I'm thinking of calling them either tomorrow or the next day so I can find out more about them.

I don't know the number, but I've seen some of the workings of the entertainment union. In entertainment it seems the union is at least semi-powerful. The unions can help negotiate contracts, if you get into trouble you can call on a shop steward to represent you at a meeting with the managers.

Doing a little looking it appears you are under Teamsters Local 385. Their website says they cover Disney Characters.

I already plan to call for the shop steward before any meeting with management if I get into trouble (God forbid).

EDIT: Oh, and Zazu, you're under Transportation and Communications Union (TCU) 1908.

[Main Streeter]

Unions here @ DLR won't help if a CM is still on probation. Learned this from a CM with an attitude who was escorted off property by 2 managers. Shorty, you'll be just fine. No need to worry, but your union research is wise. :)

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Unions here @ DLR won't help if a CM is still on probation. Learned this from a CM with an attitude who was escorted off property by 2 managers. Shorty, you'll be just fine. No need to worry, but your union research is wise. :)

When they do that, are they also banned from coming back as a guest?

[glendalais]

When they do that, are they also banned from coming back as a guest?

Not really, you have to be escorted out by security to earn that dubious honor.

Many managers escort most people leaving the company out, not only those who are being terminated, as above, but also people who are quitting of their own free will, and on good terms. It's just to make sure that remaining costumes get turned in, along with ID cards and Maingate passes; and it also helps people feel that their departure is not going completely unnoticed (great for convincing them to come back).

And Shorty, since CM work (technically) qualifies as unskilled labour, the Unions don't tend to do that much, really (for skilled trades like Facilities, they're much more powerful because new CMs in those areas are hired through their Union Hall). However, they do negotiate the contract we work under, and the shop stewards are there to enforce them (as you already know, we can call them if we're going to have any meeting with management that might lead to Discipline, this is called our "Weingarten Rights").

Get involved in your Union, many CM unions are the way they are because of the lack of CM participation, which sometimes allows the company to push them around. Talk to your shop steward, and go to the meetings. You don't have to become a complete Trade Unionist (I support my Union...and I shop at Wal Mart), but if you participate, you'll have a much stronger sense of ownership in your role within the company, IMO.