Posted on 10/27/2004 7:56:31 AM PDT by SmithPatterson
Disgruntled Disney workers target tourists
By Mike Branom
The Associated Press
ORLANDO, Fla. — Walt Disney World’s largest union, upset over stalled contract negotiations, took their arguments directly to tourists Tuesday, handing out leaflets at Orlando International Airport.
The Service Trades Council Union, representing 22,000 of the theme park’s 53,000 employees, recently has taken to publicly showing its unhappiness over talks that began in March.
Earlier this month, union leaders distributed fliers at the opening of a World of Disney store in New York and at a ‘‘Disney on Ice’’ show in Philadelphia.
‘‘Our concern is to get a fair contract and we will take our story wherever we have to, to whomever we have to, however we have to, to encourage Disney to be reasonable at the bargaining table,’’ said Morty Miller, president of the union UNITE HERE! Local 362, one of six unions comprising the Service Trades Council Union.
Union officials oppose the elimination of some overtime provisions, a significant increase in the cost of health care insurance and a proposal to not offer new hires a 401K plan instead of a pension plan.
The union’s workers, employed as everything from hotel maids to ticket-takers to costumed characters, resoundingly rejected, 3,659 votes to 96, Disney’s last offer of a three-year contract earlier this month. Talks are to resume Wednesday, according to Disney spokeswoman Jacquee Polak. The old contract has been extended to Nov. 4.
A longtime Disney critic said the union’s plea to the public hits Disney in the company’s Achilles heel — its ferociously maintained image.
‘‘The union is attacking the brand to the tourists, who are the consumers of the brand,’’ said Rollins College political science professor Rick Fogelsong. ‘‘So, from a political standpoint it makes sense.’’
But an industry expert wonder dismissed the effectiveness of the union’s tactic.
‘‘It isn’t going to have an impact on attendance because the people that are coming via airplane to visit the parks, they’re there,’’ said Dennis Spiegel, president of International Theme Park Services Inc., a Cincinnati-based consulting firm. ‘‘To me, it’s an ineffective way to do it; I’d rather see them sitting at the table and negotiating a little bit more.
Dunno about the idea of Dumbo handing out union pamphlets.
Are they all dressed as Grumpy?
Scaring children - a great way to get your point across.
I guess spitting on the children and calling them 'Scabs!' wasn't working, huh?
If they don't like their jobs/wages let them go work someplace else.
Are they all "grumpy" or just "dopey?"
The overtime provisions, I couldn't comment on. For the health care cost problems, check with dead-baby channeling trial lawyers. Also, one thing that's never mentioned in health care is that we can do a lot of stuff we couldn't do years ago. Fifty years ago, you broke your hip, you were pretty much finished. Now, you're walking in a few days. Catscans can reveal stuff they used to have to cut you open to find out. Yeah, health care costs more. They do more.
There's no reason for Disney to eliminate the 401k provision, as it should be revenue neutral to the company, unless they're planning on defaulting on it a while down the path to get George Mitchell a golden parachute. The union would be more effective at the bargaining table than handing out flyers, though, IMHO. Striking and public demonstrations hacks people off more than it converts them.
Dunno about you, but my healthcare costs rose significantly and I have to pay them....why do they think they are entitled to a free ride?
Don't like the overtime rules? If they are within the law, quit and find better ones.
Goofy on the picket line gets no sympathy here.
Well, certainly not on me, 'cause I wouldn't go the faggot-loving place anyway, but if I were to, and one of the union thugs shoved some silly union position literature in my face, I'd have to react. And not in a supportive manner.
People don't attend amusement parks to be harassed by the likes of the employees that are upset about the employer.
They are there to be amused and that union crap is not amusing.
I love the idea of some dyed-in-the-wool Union Thug standing there in the Orlando airport with his wife and family, trying to decide if it is OK for him to cross the line...
You got that right! Nobody's forcing them to work at Disney.
Sounds kind of Goofy.
I wish they'd cut out this Mickey Mouse stuff and just quit.
...funny thing, about the workers @ Disney, they called the paying public, "DUCKS". ..quack!..quack!... :))
Exactly.
They should find another job if they don't like it.
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