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Help with a labor union issue
- Thread starter mike cummings
- Start date
mike cummings
Nitro Member
it is a cut and paste and I didn't even notice that.
yoda
Nitro Member
I've been watching this for a few days now Mike and I was really hoping it wasn't IATSE..
I'm sure the House of Mouse will have their own press release soon (especially if you guys ride them Mike) that say that negotiations have taken a turn into the legal arena.. You are absolutely right in the fact that your department and Disney in general are being looked at as a "trophy" for that particular Local, and nothing good will come about of this for the image of the Union, especially with all the legal problems they have had in the past few years (Mike, refer to Local 720 in Vegas and their almost 4 year battle in the casinos- BIG black eye for the organization as a whole)..
It really disturbs me the typo was in a critical portion of the press release, further adding to the image that your department is a publicity grab for them, as well as an attempt to back-door their way into the Disney organization (which, for other departments such as Electrics would be a good idea, IMHO).
IATSE works- don't let this particular Local's actions sour you or anyone else's opinion of that Union... Locals 1 (NY) and 33 (LA) are some of the finest technicians I have the pleasure of working with in my industry... But I am highly dissapointed by the underhanded tactics of 44 and their business agents.
Stiff upper lip Mike- the battle is just getting started, and if Vegas is any example, that bulldog won't be letting go of your pants leg anytime soon... They have deep pockets (they WILL get National funding for their fight
- what a sh!tty way to spend members dues), but your department has the HoM over a barrell where they have to fight back just as strong- you licenced (BATF) and experienced guys are a VERY small group, and I don't think the park wants a week of dark 9 o'clocks if too many of you are "distraught" as to being unable to perform your duties that week..
... Remember- this is the height of the summer touring season- the rest of the good pyro guys are out on the road or working for other parks already..
Hold your ground and stay tough, buddy!!
I'm sure the House of Mouse will have their own press release soon (especially if you guys ride them Mike) that say that negotiations have taken a turn into the legal arena.. You are absolutely right in the fact that your department and Disney in general are being looked at as a "trophy" for that particular Local, and nothing good will come about of this for the image of the Union, especially with all the legal problems they have had in the past few years (Mike, refer to Local 720 in Vegas and their almost 4 year battle in the casinos- BIG black eye for the organization as a whole)..
It really disturbs me the typo was in a critical portion of the press release, further adding to the image that your department is a publicity grab for them, as well as an attempt to back-door their way into the Disney organization (which, for other departments such as Electrics would be a good idea, IMHO).
IATSE works- don't let this particular Local's actions sour you or anyone else's opinion of that Union... Locals 1 (NY) and 33 (LA) are some of the finest technicians I have the pleasure of working with in my industry... But I am highly dissapointed by the underhanded tactics of 44 and their business agents.
Stiff upper lip Mike- the battle is just getting started, and if Vegas is any example, that bulldog won't be letting go of your pants leg anytime soon... They have deep pockets (they WILL get National funding for their fight
- what a sh!tty way to spend members dues), but your department has the HoM over a barrell where they have to fight back just as strong- you licenced (BATF) and experienced guys are a VERY small group, and I don't think the park wants a week of dark 9 o'clocks if too many of you are "distraught" as to being unable to perform your duties that week..... Remember- this is the height of the summer touring season- the rest of the good pyro guys are out on the road or working for other parks already..Hold your ground and stay tough, buddy!!
Nitrohaulic
Nitro Member
With the media being mostly biased to the liberal Democrat side, and with unions being strong Democrat supporters, would anyone hold their breath to see this paper print corrections, including the apparently dishonest tactics by the union? It definitely looks like they're giving a rosey impression where they want to.
I mean, from what you've told us, how much more wrong could this sentence be?
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yoda
Nitro Member
Ron, the release has nothing to do with politics or even the media.. Its their in-house publication for their Union members...
Nitrohaulic
Nitro Member
You're right. I'm guilty of skimming over it and thought I was reading something that had been printed in a newspaper. I guess it's another month of cleaning Yugo parts?
yoda
Nitro Member
You're right. I'm guilty of skimming over it and thought I was reading something that had been printed in a newspaper. I guess it's another month of cleaning Yugo parts?
Since you're in cleaning mode, I've got some puppy land mines that could use some attention in the yard..
Nitrohaulic
Nitro Member
Since you're in cleaning mode, I've got some puppy land mines that could use some attention in the yard..
Yo 're bre king up.
Having four dogs, we learn to watch our steps very closely in the yard.
r2
Nitro Member
You guys are so funny...Yo 're bre king up.
Having four dogs, we learn to watch our steps very closely in the yard.
mike cummings
Nitro Member
not true. As a non union Disneyland pyrotechnician, I am very well compensated for my work.
mike cummings
Nitro Member
I've been watching this for a few days now Mike and I was really hoping it wasn't IATSE..
I'm sure the House of Mouse will have their own press release soon (especially if you guys ride them Mike) that say that negotiations have taken a turn into the legal arena.. You are absolutely right in the fact that your department and Disney in general are being looked at as a "trophy" for that particular Local, and nothing good will come about of this for the image of the Union, especially with all the legal problems they have had in the past few years (Mike, refer to Local 720 in Vegas and their almost 4 year battle in the casinos- BIG black eye for the organization as a whole)..
It really disturbs me the typo was in a critical portion of the press release, further adding to the image that your department is a publicity grab for them, as well as an attempt to back-door their way into the Disney organization (which, for other departments such as Electrics would be a good idea, IMHO).
IATSE works- don't let this particular Local's actions sour you or anyone else's opinion of that Union... Locals 1 (NY) and 33 (LA) are some of the finest technicians I have the pleasure of working with in my industry... But I am highly dissapointed by the underhanded tactics of 44 and their business agents.
Stiff upper lip Mike- the battle is just getting started, and if Vegas is any example, that bulldog won't be letting go of your pants leg anytime soon... They have deep pockets (they WILL get National funding for their fight
Hold your ground and stay tough, buddy!!
It sounds like you have some experience with iatse Martin.
iatse currently has a presence in Disneyland in the form of local 504. I work alongside 504 stage techs all the time on both the "Remember Dreams Come True" fireworks show as well as on Fantasmic! .
One of our biggest concerns is that we will be transfered to 504 even though local 44 swears we will not. If this happens, we might lose our ability to perform maintenance on our pyro systems since we will be under the umbrella of 504. We fear that the stage techs will want to take responsibility for our systems to guarantee them more hours. Our aerial fireworks system is a one of a kind system designed and built by Disneyland (we use compressed air cannons to launch the shells rather than traditional black powder lift charges). We know our system inside and out. We are responsible for the safety and quality of the show and do not want a non pyro person working on these systems who doesn't have the training or experience in pyrotechnics as we do.
Money and benefits is not the issue with us. For many of us (myself included) this is a 2nd job. I have great salary and benefits at my first job and got into this for the fun of it. Now it appears that an outside force is trying to move in and muck up a department that was working fine for 99% of the members.
yoda
Nitro Member
A few decades of IA experience there, Mike... some good, some
(my first IA gig was in '82 at the Beacon Theater in NY- talk about wanting to go find a corner to go crawl into...)Regarding 44 not being intergrated into 504: you are absolutely dead on with your assumption. First and formost, you will NEVER be able to trust a word that comes out of the current BA's mouth again because of their actions already- "fool me once, shame on..." syndrome. That in itself will make for tension ever time dues are drawn and meetings are scheduled. The only fix (if it does come to pass that your group is unionized) is that during elections, members of your own Disney group get put into positions of power. Only then will you know that someone is really looking out for your best interests (probably), and that you can put your confidence in them (also "probably").
IATSE lately has been all about intergrating the roles under one umbrella (less management for them to have to handle), and your thoughts about giving members of 504 more work at the expense of your already established, professionally experienced co-workers is something that you should keep your head up for. Check with the 504 members there at the park to see how their workload is, as well as what kind of vibe you get about their skills. They will, of course, have seniority (a BIG deal in IA), and even if they don't pack the load, maintenance and repair could end up being deligated to that division, decreasing hours to the existing pyro guys if 44 gets absorbed by 504.
Keep posting updates Mike, and if there is anything I can do to help, let me know.
mike cummings
Nitro Member
a quick update on this is that myself along with 4 other members of the department have given sworn affidavits to the NLRB to allow them to investigate if there was any wrong doing in the way the union was brought into the department. We are awaiting a decision of their investigation.
In the meantime the union is proceeding with the negotiation process in the event that they are ruled to be the legal bargaining agent for the pyro department. I, along with 2 other members of the department were elected by the department to sit on the negotiation process and to represent the department. Fortunately, the 3 of us are pro Disney/anti-union and will keep a close watch on what the union does, but we will not sabotage the efforts since we will have to live with whatever contract is agreed upon.
There is some tension in the department over this situation but all of the members are able to put aside personal differences and work in a professional manner to provide safe and quality fireworks shows everynight.
In the meantime the union is proceeding with the negotiation process in the event that they are ruled to be the legal bargaining agent for the pyro department. I, along with 2 other members of the department were elected by the department to sit on the negotiation process and to represent the department. Fortunately, the 3 of us are pro Disney/anti-union and will keep a close watch on what the union does, but we will not sabotage the efforts since we will have to live with whatever contract is agreed upon.
There is some tension in the department over this situation but all of the members are able to put aside personal differences and work in a professional manner to provide safe and quality fireworks shows everynight.
Rollout96
Nitro Member
Well that is a positive thing obviously. It sounds like you are at least able to keep an eye on everything. Keep us posted Mike.
"Dr. Dirt"
Nitro Member
Good luck with this situation Mike.
I sure hope this doesn't get any messier.
I sure hope this doesn't get any messier.
mike cummings
Nitro Member
Yesterday we got a copy of a letter the NLRB sent to the iatse union as well as Disneyland informing both parties that their investigation has indicated that there is evidence that fraud and deception was used by the union's agents to secure their position as our bargaining agent. The union and Disneyland have a specified amount of time to reply to the charges.
We are pretty sure that Disneyland will stop recognizing iatse as our bargaining agent. It is unclear if the union will want to fight the charges or just walk away.
We are pretty sure that Disneyland will stop recognizing iatse as our bargaining agent. It is unclear if the union will want to fight the charges or just walk away.
mike cummings
Nitro Member
A final update to this sage...
As I was pulling into work last Friday at Disneyland, I got a call from one of my co-workers who said the union has decided to walk away from our department and give up their claims that they are the exclusive bargaining agent for us.
Earlier this month our case with the Los Angeles office of the NLRB got kicked up to Washington DC for further investigation and it seems the union was nervous that if they were found in fault they would not only be out as our bargaining agent but also get a black mark in the government's book as well as face punishment for their unlawful practices. They decided to cut their losses and walk away.
Needless to say, the overwhelming majority of our department is extremely pleased about the outcome of this and can now put our full efforts into making magic in the skys over Disneyland every night rather than be distracted by the union nonsense.
As I was pulling into work last Friday at Disneyland, I got a call from one of my co-workers who said the union has decided to walk away from our department and give up their claims that they are the exclusive bargaining agent for us.
Earlier this month our case with the Los Angeles office of the NLRB got kicked up to Washington DC for further investigation and it seems the union was nervous that if they were found in fault they would not only be out as our bargaining agent but also get a black mark in the government's book as well as face punishment for their unlawful practices. They decided to cut their losses and walk away.
Needless to say, the overwhelming majority of our department is extremely pleased about the outcome of this and can now put our full efforts into making magic in the skys over Disneyland every night rather than be distracted by the union nonsense.
