Money Magic Kingdom worker makes $13.02 an hour, worked there for 17 years, lives in hotel - Page 5

Deberg_1990 · 07-21-2017, 06:51 PM

Wow.....

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busin...717-story.html

he two boys swivel their heads to where the sound of Donald Duck is coming from, but it’s only ride operator Mike Beaver doing one of his impressions again in the Magic Kingdom.

For a 45-year-old who can’t hide his inner kid, the job brings Beaver great joy as he manages the crowd at Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor with two bubble wands in his pockets.

At the end of his shift, Beaver will board the Lynx 56 Bus back to the motel on U.S. Highway 192 where he’s lived for two years.

Faced with the economic challenges living off his $13.02 an hour, Beaver is watching closely to see if his wages increase as Disney, the country’s largest single-site employer with a payroll of more than $2 billion, is set to begin renegotiating with the park’s largest union group this summer.

“I do have a hard life,” he says, pausing for a moment on his daily commute. “But I don’t think about it.”

Over the years, there have been tight talks and stalemates between Disney and the Service Trades Council Unions, a coalition of six unions that represents about 38,000 employees.

But in 2014, they reached an agreement that raised the minimum wage for employees from $8.03 an hour to $10 by 2016. As part of that contract, both sides agreed to re-open bargaining on employee wages for a 90-day window that could begin as early as July 26.

If they reach a consensus, the current contract extends until 2019. Otherwise, the contract is set to expire in October.

“We’re hopeful we’re able to push Disney,” said Eric Clinton, president of Unite Here Local 362 that represents ride operators, including Beaver. “Our goal is to have a pathway for our members out of poverty.”

Clinton said the unions will announce their wage proposal later this month.

When reached for comment, Disney said it offers overtime and extra shifts for employees as well as other benefits, which includes the company paying about 75 percent of employees’ health care premiums.

“Our strong and compelling employment package inclusive of industry-leading wages, healthcare, on-site childcare along with multiple discount options and more reflects our commitment to our Cast Members,” the company said in a statement. “We value all of their contributions.”

Beaver’s first day at the Magic Kingdom was Nov. 8, 2000, manning the Space Mountain ride. The starting wage, at that time, was $6.35 an hour, according to the union contract.

“I’ve been there 16 years and never transferred out,” said Beaver, who rotates working the attractions and Fast Pass kiosks in Tomorrowland. “I’m here to tell you, I still love it.”

He splits the $250 weekly rent at a Kissimmee motel with his friend, a long-time chef at a Disney resort.

One bright afternoon, the curtains are drawn and a lamp casts a yellowish glow in the cramped room where their possessions cover the desk, a bureau and are stacked on the floor.

Someday, Beaver wants to save enough for his own apartment or a car to replace his red 1989 Pontiac Sunbird that broke down in 2008, forcing him to rely on the bus.

But for now, the motel arrangement on the bus line works.

I'm thankful for a place to live.
— Mike Beaver
“I’m thankful for a place to live,” Beaver said.

On a recent morning, he boards a full bus that’s also carrying a Disney custodian, hotel workers and fast-food employees for the 45-minute ride to the parks before his shift starts.

In his spare time, Beaver plays online poker and dreams of entering the World Series of Poker. He likes hunting for bargains at the flea market.

He never married or had kids — it’s hard enough to get by as a single person on his wages, he said.

Beaver’s life truly revolves around his work, Clinton said.

In 2003, he became a shop steward for Local 362, which he calls being “called to the ministry.” The volunteer job meant advocating for other Disney employees and enforcing the contract.

“I have a purpose,” Beaver said. “I take care of my co-workers.”

Now, he co-chairs a safety committee at Magic Kingdom and serves on Local 362’s 13-member executive board.

“He’s proud of what he’s become,” Clinton said of Beaver, who grew up facing low expectations in a small Dutch town 40 miles from the Iowa state capital.

As a boy, it was hard for Beaver to be ambitious about a future career. He struggled to keep up with his classmates in school. A learning disability placed him into special education.

“A lot of people have looked down on me all my life,” Beaver said.

Beaver’s father, who died of cancer when he was in eighth grade, had wanted to see him graduate high school — a feat Beaver accomplished in 1990 in Pella, Iowa.

“I had something to prove,” he said. “I needed to do it for my dad and I needed to do it for myself.”

College seemed unobtainable, so Beaver worked in fast-food restaurants, working his way up to manager.

There weren’t many opportunities to fall in love or find a good job in his hometown, so he bought a one-way Greyhound bus ticket to Florida in 1993.

“I work at Disney World,” was the first sentence he wrote about himself for his 20th high school reunion newsletter.

“He’s just the salt of the earth,” Clinton said. “It’s not a complicated life, but it’s a hard one. It’s one he struggles with, but he’s also very fulfilled.”

bigjosh · 07-22-2017, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearcat

I was, if they're paying $1000/month for a motel room and there are apartments for $750-800, utilities and a phone might not even be $1000/month (I assume the A/C is on all the freakin time though, but when I lived in an apartment, my utilities weren't more than maybe $100/month).

I probably came off more "I know what's better for you after reading an article" than I meant in that post, but no, $26k isn't poverty. This article shows how ridiculous that statement is...

I'd have to assume people in poverty don't give a shit about phone or internet or TV. I know people in KC making $10-12/hour while raising kids alone, which is a small miracle... but, in KC you can also find cheap apartments for like $500/month.

And if this cost of living comparison is accurate....
http://www.bestplaces.net/cost-of-li...-park-ks/70000

...I'd really question your definition of scraping by.

Rhode island is a tax haven. I pay 4500 a year in property tax, 5000 a year in federal tax, 2200 a year in rhode island income tax, 1800 a year in vehicle tax (they tax your cars every year, even though you paid tax when you bought the car) 500 a year in sewer tax, 1400 a year in TDI tax, 700 a year in unemployment tax, not to mention 7% sales tax on anything i buy in state. There are alot of smaller taxes that i am leaving out as to not seem like i am grasping at straws here. But I am also married with a 3rd child on the way, I am not single.

**BigRichard** · 07-22-2017, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockymtnchief

I used to think the same until I looked it up when I bought my house four years ago. Montana is about in the middle of the road on property taxes (tied at 19th lowest at 0.85%). However, tax on licensing a vehicle seems high to me after living in other states.

I really need to get out of Nebraska

scho63 · 07-24-2017, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Nope

You are 100% wrong and I am a perfect example of how I have managed to rent great places for a fraction of the price of weekly hotels.

**Rain Man** · 07-24-2017, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRichard

I really need to get out of Nebraska

Have you considered Illinois?

**DaneMcCloud** · 07-24-2017, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scho63

You are 100% wrong and I am a perfect example of how I have managed to rent great places for a fraction of the price of weekly hotels.

You may be right for certain parts of the country but dude, in LA, motels aren't cheap and they're occupied by hookers and drug addicts.

**Rain Man** · 07-24-2017, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

You may be right for certain parts of the country but dude, in LA, motels aren't cheap and they're occupied by hookers and drug addicts.

But the hookers aren't as conveniently located in an apartment.

**Bugeater** · 07-24-2017, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRichard

I really need to get out of Nebraska

Wisconsin isn't much better but at least they have cheese curds and killer bike trails.

**loochy** · 07-25-2017, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

You may be right for certain parts of the country but dude, in LA, motels aren't cheap and they're occupied by hookers and drug addicts.

Then they are right up his alley. Haven't you read his posts?

Lprechaun · 07-25-2017, 04:57 PM

Didn't read the whole thread, Disney makes the wages, operations costs and utilities money within the first 15 minutes of opening for the day. It's about the same as Walmart.

scho63 · 07-25-2017, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

A one bedroom shitty apartment in Hollywood is $2,000 per month.

A one bedroom shitty apartment in San Fran is $4,000-5,000 per month and close to the same in Mountain View. They are blowing the lid off of rents out there, it's thickening.

Clyde Frog · 07-25-2017, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Good point. I'll bet he's happier than the story makes him out to be. Some people just have a very low wage ceiling in life. And that's ok.

Easy, Judge Smails

:

07-21-2017, 06:51 PM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $334454	Magic Kingdom worker makes $13.02 an hour, worked there for 17 years, lives in hotel Wow..... http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busin...717-story.html he two boys swivel their heads to where the sound of Donald Duck is coming from, but it’s only ride operator Mike Beaver doing one of his impressions again in the Magic Kingdom. For a 45-year-old who can’t hide his inner kid, the job brings Beaver great joy as he manages the crowd at Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor with two bubble wands in his pockets. At the end of his shift, Beaver will board the Lynx 56 Bus back to the motel on U.S. Highway 192 where he’s lived for two years. Faced with the economic challenges living off his $13.02 an hour, Beaver is watching closely to see if his wages increase as Disney, the country’s largest single-site employer with a payroll of more than $2 billion, is set to begin renegotiating with the park’s largest union group this summer. “I do have a hard life,” he says, pausing for a moment on his daily commute. “But I don’t think about it.” Over the years, there have been tight talks and stalemates between Disney and the Service Trades Council Unions, a coalition of six unions that represents about 38,000 employees. But in 2014, they reached an agreement that raised the minimum wage for employees from $8.03 an hour to $10 by 2016. As part of that contract, both sides agreed to re-open bargaining on employee wages for a 90-day window that could begin as early as July 26. If they reach a consensus, the current contract extends until 2019. Otherwise, the contract is set to expire in October. “We’re hopeful we’re able to push Disney,” said Eric Clinton, president of Unite Here Local 362 that represents ride operators, including Beaver. “Our goal is to have a pathway for our members out of poverty.” Clinton said the unions will announce their wage proposal later this month. When reached for comment, Disney said it offers overtime and extra shifts for employees as well as other benefits, which includes the company paying about 75 percent of employees’ health care premiums. “Our strong and compelling employment package inclusive of industry-leading wages, healthcare, on-site childcare along with multiple discount options and more reflects our commitment to our Cast Members,” the company said in a statement. “We value all of their contributions.” Beaver’s first day at the Magic Kingdom was Nov. 8, 2000, manning the Space Mountain ride. The starting wage, at that time, was $6.35 an hour, according to the union contract. “I’ve been there 16 years and never transferred out,” said Beaver, who rotates working the attractions and Fast Pass kiosks in Tomorrowland. “I’m here to tell you, I still love it.” He splits the $250 weekly rent at a Kissimmee motel with his friend, a long-time chef at a Disney resort. One bright afternoon, the curtains are drawn and a lamp casts a yellowish glow in the cramped room where their possessions cover the desk, a bureau and are stacked on the floor. Someday, Beaver wants to save enough for his own apartment or a car to replace his red 1989 Pontiac Sunbird that broke down in 2008, forcing him to rely on the bus. But for now, the motel arrangement on the bus line works. I'm thankful for a place to live. — Mike Beaver “I’m thankful for a place to live,” Beaver said. On a recent morning, he boards a full bus that’s also carrying a Disney custodian, hotel workers and fast-food employees for the 45-minute ride to the parks before his shift starts. In his spare time, Beaver plays online poker and dreams of entering the World Series of Poker. He likes hunting for bargains at the flea market. He never married or had kids — it’s hard enough to get by as a single person on his wages, he said. Beaver’s life truly revolves around his work, Clinton said. In 2003, he became a shop steward for Local 362, which he calls being “called to the ministry.” The volunteer job meant advocating for other Disney employees and enforcing the contract. “I have a purpose,” Beaver said. “I take care of my co-workers.” Now, he co-chairs a safety committee at Magic Kingdom and serves on Local 362’s 13-member executive board. “He’s proud of what he’s become,” Clinton said of Beaver, who grew up facing low expectations in a small Dutch town 40 miles from the Iowa state capital. As a boy, it was hard for Beaver to be ambitious about a future career. He struggled to keep up with his classmates in school. A learning disability placed him into special education. “A lot of people have looked down on me all my life,” Beaver said. Beaver’s father, who died of cancer when he was in eighth grade, had wanted to see him graduate high school — a feat Beaver accomplished in 1990 in Pella, Iowa. “I had something to prove,” he said. “I needed to do it for my dad and I needed to do it for myself.” College seemed unobtainable, so Beaver worked in fast-food restaurants, working his way up to manager. There weren’t many opportunities to fall in love or find a good job in his hometown, so he bought a one-way Greyhound bus ticket to Florida in 1993. “I work at Disney World,” was the first sentence he wrote about himself for his 20th high school reunion newsletter. “He’s just the salt of the earth,” Clinton said. “It’s not a complicated life, but it’s a hard one. It’s one he struggles with, but he’s also very fulfilled.”
Posts: 68,417

07-25-2017, 04:57 PM	#69
Lprechaun Veteran Join Date: Oct 2012 Casino cash: $4926268	Didn't read the whole thread, Disney makes the wages, operations costs and utilities money within the first 15 minutes of opening for the day. It's about the same as Walmart.
Posts: 1,518