Wage Increase ?

It's hard to assess this situation without knowing the extent of benefits received by these employees. What is the value of their health insurance, retirement, pension, housing, etc? It is very impressive that Disney can yield such exceptional customer service performance from workers who are payed a low wage. I'd assume most of the CM's we encounter at the parks and resorts fall under the low wage category.

Unskilled laborers will always be fighting an uphill battle for better pay. Pursuing additional training, education, promotions, etc are the real ways to get ahead. Sometimes you have gone as far as your skillset allows in a certain company, and it's time to search for a new position that yields better pay. Disney parks has unlimited opportunities for growth and advancement. I'm hard pressed to think of a company that employs such a wide variety of trades, skills, & disciplines. It's tough to believe that 'Sherry" has worked for the mouse for 20 years and still only makes $13 an hour, but I imagine her circumstance speaks more towards her as an individual, rather than her employer. 20 years at one company should afford any motivated person opportunities to get ahead.

The problem with reports like these is that they present a facet of the argument and a general idea of the whole case, but not enough to allow you to make an opinion other than 'wow, that's relatively low'.

I've worked low hourly paid jobs - my first was just PS1.69ph (I bought Pinocchio on VHS with my first week's wages!) and by the time I quit my weekend jobs, I was on around PS6ph and was the first casual worker in the company I worked for (selling white and brown goods) to qualify for work pensions and paid holidays!

Should the CMs be paid more money? They probably deserve it considering the kinda sort of work they're doing and what they have to put up with...I'd like to know what the salaried CMs are on - those who aren't on an hourly wage to put this in context...in fact, are there any salaried CMs in the organisation or are they all considered casual workers?

Disney is our bubble of magic and memories but it's hard to think of the staff that helps us make the memories are poorly compensated. I'm hoping our forum cast members can put this in better perspective for us.

The union is always trying to get the cms higher wages. Most new hires start anywhere between $7.90 and $8.20 an hour depending on the job. College Program participants get minimum wage. I think if they are in entertainment like performing they get a little extra. I'm not sure on how the international program participants get paid. I've also heard if you have a language pin on your nametag, you get a little more money per hour. If trainers get paid an extra dollar an hour when they have training shifts. Coordinators get paid more, I believe. Then most of the raises come from the contract that the union negotiates. Last year around this time, full time and part time cms got a 25 cent raise. I was seasonal at the time and got a 12 cent raise. Disney just changed their health benefits for full time cms. They offer three different kinds of health coverage, dental and vision. I went with the basics and pay less then $12 a week for health, dental and vision. I love working for Disney and I don't know where I would be if I got denied for the college program that jump started my career with them. If you stay as an hourly cm and don't do anything else, you'll get less money then if you become a trainer, coordinator and help with the beginning stages of training like facilitating the core classes for different jobs. I wouldn't mind making a little bit more to help cover everything a little better. There are constantly shifts available for people to pick up. One of my co-workers has been working 60-80 hours a week and hasn't had a day off in a while. I have been working 6 days as well to help get financially set up. There is plenty of housing available near Disney, so if you choose to live an hour-two hours away, then that's your fault. Right now I am about 3 miles from work and some of my co-workers live within walking distance to work. I am moving soon and will be about 15 miles to work but only a 20 minute drive or less.

It really depends on the person and how much they want to invest into their career.

Thanks Mandy for explaining from a CMs point of view and putting it so well. The CMs are always going to be "worth" more than they are paid because they make things so magical for us but sadly virtual dollars and our thanks won't pay the bills.

You're welcome.