Stupid Guest Tricks

And btw-- in California, we HAD to join the union-- we didn't have a choice. Union dues are ONE hour of pay per week before taxes per person. Hope the union isn't going broke.. LOL

Waaaay back when I worked for a company that had a union. I refused to join. During contract negotiations they converted to an agency shop which meant non-members had to pay dues too.

When I got to the top of pay grade my boss told me I had to start really producing. I told him that now that I was at the top of the scale I was going to be a slacker like the rest of the long time cruisers. He almost had a heart attack as I was his biggest producer.

There was a union hall but most of the decisions were made at a bar down the street.

pattimelt wrote: - Contractural wage increase of 3% as of March 16, 2008 (27 CENTS, mind you!) I have NOT seen in my check YET!! Over 200 hours since the increase was supposed to take effect. Not that it's that much, but still..

Hey, Pattimelt, you haven't gotten this raise, because of the raise last fall. When you got the raise in fall they should've explained to you that you would not get the March one. They did this to all of the CMs in my area that got the raise in fall.

lady ulrike wrote:Hey, Pattimelt, you haven't gotten this raise, because of the raise last fall. When you got the raise in fall they should've explained to you that you would not get the March one. They did this to all of the CMs in my area that got the raise in fall.

Actually, I spoke to my manager, and he says it IS coming-- that I'll get a retroactive check, because there was a glitch in the computer system. We are ALL supposed to get that raise, as long as we are working as of March 16..

pattimelt wrote:Actually, I spoke to my manager, and he says it IS coming-- that I'll get a retroactive check, because there was a glitch in the computer system. We are ALL supposed to get that raise, as long as we are working as of March 16..

Well that's really interesting cause my department managers have told everyone that they don't get the March raise. Hmmmm.....

Time to talk to a shop steward, I'd say, Lady Ulrike. (Although I'm sure it's more tempting to just bring the rattan into work... ;) )

pattimelt wrote:Oh geez.. you're all gonna get me started on the piece of crap I have to call MY union??

Let's see.. where to start??

- Contractural wage increase of 3% as of March 16, 2008 (27 CENTS, mind you!) I have NOT seen in my check YET!! Over 200 hours since the increase was supposed to take effect. Not that it's that much, but still..

- Lack of CM input into contract negotiations. My contract is up March 09, and I have NO CLUE what the union wants to ask for, nor have they asked anyone in my department what we would want.

- A living wage would be nice. I started at DLR in March of 07. My original starting wage was $8.20 per hour. In March 07, I got my 3.5% wage increase, which gave me $8.53 an hour. My wages were bumped up again when DLR raised the starting wage at the parks to $9.05 an hour in the fall of 07. Even working 40 hours a week, my take home is under $300. I want to see the people in the union or the Disney execs try and survive on that kind of money. It ain't gonna happen. Housing alone, for most CM's takes most of their hourly wages per month. Then try eating, and paying bills-- it can't happen. Fast food workers in the neighborhood of Disneyland make over $10 an hour TO START-- can't we make at least as much as the people make at McDonalds, considering the amount of information and CASH we handle each day??

- And then we have the "clock" problem. I work in the middle of the esplanade. There are no restrooms nor break areas in the immediate vicinity, yet I have to punch out at my booth; THEN walk to either park proxy gate thru a bunch of guests, who all want to ask questions; then wait to enter into the park thru the same gate as guests with strollers, who all need to get a hand stamp; and continue to walk thru more guests to get to the closest break room/restroom to actually begin my 30 minute "task free" lunch or my 15 minute "task free" breaks. Supposedly, once I clock out for lunch, I'm on MY time-- not DL's time. Yet, by the time I get thru to the break room, at least 7 minutes of my break or lunch is used up just GETTING to the area, and then I have to use the same amount of time to get back. But if you're late, you get docked with points and in your pay!!

Hmmmmmmm. Wow! Makes me want to rethink my desire to work for Disney. But then Ralphy and I would be part timers and doing it *for fun* not to make a living. Thank God we have that taken care of.

When I was younger I had to work 3 jobs to make ends meet. I did not like it, but then I also liked having a full tummy and a roof over my head. So I did it. I was a workaholic anyway and loved work, but not having to juggle 3 of them... I only wish I had the stamina and healthy spine to be able to get out of the house and work. I am now having problems sitting in front of the computer for too long and that means I need the surgery NOW! The problem is worsening and I don't want to end up being bedridden. I want to get out and walk and work at something! Something fun and interesting! Preferably with animals! :)

Disney definitely does not pay the CMs enough and that is very sad. The very people they want to be the face of the magic in their Parks, they treat like slaves in so many ways. All the examples above are horrifying. The whole break time thing really toasts me. YOU are ENTITLED to a FULL break, not just part of it and they know you wear a costume and people are going to see it and that way they get more work out of you for free on YOUR time. If it were me, I would have to tell the guest I am sorry, but I am a on a break and I only have 15 minutes and need to eat something and two finger point to the nearest CM. That will still take time out of your break especially since you are going to get multiple requests for info, but at least you are not going to have to spend your whole break helping guests.

What if everyone who had to walk far to their break area started clocking back in late, I mean EVERYONE would have to do it for them to see that this is ridiculous in this area and make some adjustments. I don't get it. Why do CMs get treated so badly by a company who appears to be so magical and good?

It has been too long since I worked for someone and I guess I just do not remember the reasons employees get taken advantage of. Away too long, I guess. Maybe I do NOT want to go back to work, at least a paying job where a mgr would use me up. It may be smarter for me to do volunteer work on my terms.

I'll have to think about this one. Maybe I don't want to ruin the *magic* by working for the Mouse and I can live vicariously through all the CMs here by listening to your stories...I just wish the Mgt was beter for you all. We love you and you, the CMs make our day at the Parks and Hotels and all over the property! I hope that counts for something for you. We try to make it magic for you too! :)
Susi

We are taught that we still have to be helpful even if we are on break. I had to call an alpha unit once while I was walking to break room. After it was under control I asked my coordinator if it was alright if I took my full break. We don't get in trouble for taking a little longer than assigned. Also our CDS slips give us a about 5 extra minutes of walk time, though sometimes when someone pulls our break they will take their sweet-ass time getting all the way back to video monitor.

[font="Palatino Linotype"]when i was working for a school district (and i did for over 20 yrs) and the union came along for the job i was doing it was (at first) voluntary...then it became mandatory...and they began taking the money out of my check...and when i needed them to stand behind me there they weren't...they never helped me one bit...i was dealt a very dirty hand by the district that left a very bad taste in my mouth...i hated having to pay the money out, but i had no choice...i haven't worked in over 12 yrs and was aghast to find out that the same guy is still the president of the local chapter of the union (a painters union no less)...i have no use for unions whatsoever...i have yet to hear of one helping anyone (even at disneyland)[/font]

When I worked at Knott's, if I was on my way to break and a guest stopped me, I would clutch myself below my rather large girth, and assume a very pained expression (translation: I gotta pee! My bladder's about to explode!)--and believe me, it was the truth. It worked everytime. Best thing is, you can use it even when your bladder isn"t about to explode--how's a guest gonna know the differance? :twisted: