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.”

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

That's really a non-starter.

People say the same about Texas without stating that the property taxes are insane.

For homeowners, it's no different than living in a state with with lower property tax while paying state income tax.

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.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

There are exceptions in every apartment building (and all of the new 30+ story towers being constructed) for low income families.

Those families also get massive discounts at private schools and are encouged to attend Charter Schools, without the burden of the suggested donations.

Hmm, interesting... yeah, I know people who have to be making pretty decent money that spend 4+ hours/day commuting from like San Bernardino, and have talked to hotel employees who basically do the same.... can't imagine what it's like for people close to minimum wage in such a city, but that makes some sense.

I once read an article about how Overland Park/Olathe struggled with finding people who could work low wage jobs, and my first thought was how much harder it would be in a city where housing/rent is actually crazy.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

Sorry but I don't buy that. 1k/mo for a 1BR? No way

My rental apartment is going vacant this month in Denver and I'll be advertising it for $1,150 per month. And it's a studio.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by Rudy won the toss

Get out of the Midwest every once in awhile.

Truth right here. Housing is more affordable here than pretty much anywhere else in the country. It's really the only reason to be here.

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Truth right here. Housing is more affordable here than pretty much anywhere else in the country. It's really the only reason to be here.

Hah. Truth right here.

Weather? No.

Women? No.

Leisure activities? No.

Jobs? Eh, maybe. Depending on your trade.

Housing costs? **** yes.

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

Hah. Truth right here.

Weather? No.

Women? No.

Leisure activities? No.

Jobs? Eh, maybe. Depending on your trade.

Housing costs? **** yes.

Kansas City has some crazy little women.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

Hmm, interesting... yeah, I know people who have to be making pretty decent money that spend 4+ hours/day commuting from like San Bernardino, and have talked to hotel employees who basically do the same.... can't imagine what it's like for people close to minimum wage in such a city, but that makes some sense.

I once read an article about how Overland Park/Olathe struggled with finding people who could work low wage jobs, and my first thought was how much harder it would be in a city where housing/rent is actually crazy.

Low Income Family exceptions are a huge thing here and fully backed by the mayor and city council.

I'm totally onboard. Everyone needs a chance. They shouldn't be pushed out because of a $100 million dollar development that robs them of their apartment.

The irony is that the lower income families that I know push their kids way harder than higher income families.

People outside of places like Los Angeles seem to demonize people of Hispanic origin yet those families that I know work harder than outsiders can imagine.

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

Hah. Truth right here.

Weather? No.

Women? No.

Leisure activities? No.

Jobs? Eh, maybe. Depending on your trade.

Housing costs? **** yes.

Job market is decent if you're in the city. Small towns...ehh...good luck. But if you find something you can live on next to nothing.,

[Bugeater]

Originally Posted by Bearcat

Kansas City has some crazy little women.

The women thing is a bit of a myth. It's not like Florida or California but nowhere near as bad as Minnesota or Wisconsin.

[Eleazar]

Disney hires a lot of people with disabilities who would have a hard time getting hired at a lot of other places, and it's a place where they can get health insurance, affordable housing, etc. It's not a terrible deal, and this guy seems to like his freedom.

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

So, if he makes $13.02 an hour and is full time (40 hours), even after say 20% taken out for taxes, healthcare, etc that's still $1600 in his pocket each month. If he's splitting a $1000/mo hotel room with someone else, that's $500, so $1100 left. How else does he spend his money???

Well duh, hookers and blo, what else?

[scho63]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

I live in Orlando.

$750-800 a month is going to put you in some places you don't want to be. $1,000 for a one bedroom in a decent neighborhood is pretty much as low as it gets here anymore. You can probably find something for $950-ish but that area will be iffy.

He should look to rent a room in a house or do a 2 BR share apartment rental. He would make out much better than a motel.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by scho63

He should look to rent a room in a house or do a 2 BR share apartment rental. He would make out much better than a motel.

Nope

[listopencil]

Originally Posted by scho63

He should look to rent a room in a house or do a 2 BR share apartment rental. He would make out much better than a motel.

I've never lived in a motel, but I assume that he isn't paying anything for utilities and he may be getting free internet.

[Miles]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

That's really a non-starter.

People say the same about Texas without stating that the property taxes are insane.

For homeowners, it's no different than living in a state with with lower property tax while paying state income tax.

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.