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

[Deberg_1990]

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.”

[Miles]

Just ran rough numbers on Colorado to compare and would be a few thousand more per year for me. Though do very much agree with point of have to look at at all state and local taxes together.

[J Diddy]

He must be ****ing Goofy.

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Disney is notorious for poor wages and working their people to the bone.

They don't call it "Mauschwitz" for nothing.

And I know people who have worked for Disney and call it one of the greatest experiences they have had in their lives. It's no different than any other large company like that....some will love it and others will hate on it.

As for your first sentence.....you could insert the name of a lot of companies in there and get people to agree.

[AndChiefs]

Originally Posted by Miles

I have wondered this living in Texas within Dallas city limits which is as high at it gets for property taxes here. Property tax for homes is roughly 2% but there is a standard exemption that lowers property value taxed. Other than sales tax I don't pay any other local taxes. Also that property tax is on relatively cheap housing costs here.

It's in the 3% range a lot of places down here in Houston.

[rockymtnchief]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Yup. There's trade-offs in every state.

Montana has no sales tax. They make up for it by raping you on property taxes and having some of the lowest wages in the country.

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.

[Demonpenz]

Terrible. They should pay them live-able wages.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Mosbonian

And I know people who have worked for Disney and call it one of the greatest experiences they have had in their lives. It's no different than any other large company like that....some will love it and others will hate on it.

As for your first sentence.....you could insert the name of a lot of companies in there and get people to agree.

I personally worked on the Universal and Paramount lots for more than a decade. I have friends that have been on the Warner's lot for much longer.

Our experiences are enormously more positive than those that have worked at Disney.

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I personally worked on the Universal and Paramount lots for more than a decade. I have friends that have been on the Warner's lot for much longer.

Our experiences are enormously more positive than those that have worked at Disney.

Not discounting what you say isn't true....just pointing out that everyone's experience could/would be different.

I am betting there are people who have the same view of Universal and WB that you and your friends do of Disney.

I guess I am saying it is all in the perspective...

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Mosbonian

Not discounting what you say isn't true....just pointing out that everyone's experience could/would be different.

I am betting there are people who have the same view of Universal and WB that you and your friends do of Disney.

I guess I am saying it is all in the perspective...

In nearly 24 years of living and working in Hollywood, I've never even once encountered someone that worked at multiple studios that felt like Disney was a better workplace than the others.

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

In nearly 24 years of living and working in Hollywood, I've never even once encountered someone that worked at multiple studios that felt like Disney was a better workplace than the others.

I am guessing that you are focusing on just those who have worked in California at either Corporate or at Disneyland.

While I am sure I know much fewer people that work in CA, I do have friends who work at Disney and not all of them are people who work in the parks. They seem to enjoy working at Disney and do not see it as the corporate grinder mill.

[bigjosh]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

Yeah, unless Orlando is NYC/California type of expensive, this article is just making up news.... $26k isn't poverty. I didn't find any KC-cheap apartments, but a 30 second search found $750-800/month, which would be better than a freakin' motel. And the online poker.

Poor life choices... not Disney's fault.

you are not taking into account that if you get an apartment you have to pay utilities. electric/gas, phone, internet, tv, water. it all adds up to way more than the motel room. 26k is certainly poverty. I make 70k and can barely scrape by (Rhode Island is much more expensive than Florida though.)

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Mosbonian

I am guessing that you are focusing on just those who have worked in California at either Corporate or at Disneyland.

While I am sure I know much fewer people that work in CA, I do have friends who work at Disney and not all of them are people who work in the parks. They seem to enjoy working at Disney and do not see it as the corporate grinder mill.

As I mentioned previously, I'm talking about the studio and the studio lots and I'm talking about creatives, not pencil pushers.

I'm not talking about the theme parks. Paramount doesn't even have a theme park.

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

As I mentioned previously, I'm talking about the studio and the studio lots and I'm talking about creatives, not pencil pushers.

I'm not talking about the theme parks. Paramount doesn't even have a theme park.

Not to correct one small error here....Paramount doesn't have them parks now. At one point they used to own 7 amusement parks and 4 water parks I believe.

That was before the Viacom takeover of Paramount and eventual sale to Cedar Fair.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by bigjosh006

you are not taking into account that if you get an apartment you have to pay utilities. electric/gas, phone, internet, tv, water. it all adds up to way more than the motel room. 26k is certainly poverty. I make 70k and can barely scrape by (Rhode Island is much more expensive than Florida though.)

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...

The poverty threshold for a single parent with two minor children is just over $19,000 a year. For a single adult under age 65, it's just over $12,300.

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

A salary of $70,000 in Newport, Rhode Island could decrease to $51,975 in Overland Park, Kansas

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

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Mosbonian

That was before the Viacom takeover of Paramount and eventual sale to Cedar Fair.

That was before my time at Paramount