... 38 ...

Today was a rough day as it was the last day I would work with Karl. I have known and liked Karl every since he came in the department 18 years ago. during the last 5 or so I was on nights with him as bellmen and we became really good friends. In fact when I returned as a bellman last schedual bid, the general comment was the Dynamic Duo are back again. For this resort it is not just about the loss of a good bellman ... it the first of many to fall in this new "World."

Is this just a bit of paranioa? We have been implimitting the bell service version of Maximo into the hotels. This as we have found out is the prefered operating system of BAGS. So we have to wonder how quickly thhey will coime waltzing in to take over Bell Services.

Mike told me how Gary, our Locsl Union Rep. summed this whole thing up. According to Mike, Gary aquated the Valets to cattle which are being herded into a big pen. They will open the far door of the pen and let a few out. The rest of the cattle ... well we all know what happens to cattle cropwed into the pen ... they're ground into hamburger.

Disney has as good as doubled the dividend to stockholders from 17 cents to some where just over 30.

40 and 39

The last two days have been pretty swirly. Monday when I came in Mike C. was talking about how we needed to get Karl into the Union. I pointed out that Karl wasn't likely to join (He has strong feelings due to how it has dropped the ball in the past) and Mike said that the Union had gotten lawyers and they needed the money for them. I pointed out that I had been paying dues for 20 years and said some of that should of been going into a war chest and if this isn't war I don't know what is. Mike wasn't happy with me especially when I said I couldn't take off work to go to the Union meeting. But the thing is the bellmen from the other hotels don't want a Global bid. They are not just fighting to keep their jobs but keep their comfort spots. If everyone from our resort showed up we would not be able to be a large enough voting block. Karl's comments are that Disney is playing psychological warfare by creating a stress level that they might shake a few monkies from the limb.

Manager Kris shoved his bobble head into my face, Tuesday. It was hard keeping eye contact. He was almost frantic to tell that they didn't know anything and niether did the Union. Both forces had their lawyers butting heads. Thay have a deadline of Dec. 17th to come to terms. We won't here about it til the 18th or 19th. Our Christmas lump of coal will come a little early.

I have to be careful and not let this upset me ... swirl me. My colitus has been really borderline. But it is real easy to be sucked in as you already have one foot in the water.

43 ... 42 ... 41...

With the wife at home even though I had to go to work friday, it has seemed like a Holiday weekend. We put up our Christmas trees ... Yes I said trees. We have three of them. A white tree with purple ornaments, a small penguin tree (Yoko is quick to point out that she was into penguins before they became fashionable) and the new one, an old fashion tree. So not a lot to report.

Just these to notes. One that Ray, aka The Commisioner, told me something I need to check out. Last year they gave us these fluff Disney books ... I like a lot of cast members shoved it on to the shelf, but Ray read his ... what a concept. Turns out ... I think it was Disneyland they tried to outsource the security dept. It didn't work. They weren't friendly enough and Walt swore never again. Never say never.

Secondly when we went shopping in the Downtown Disney Christmas shop, we found out that there are now blackout dates for our Christmas discount bump. It was only 5% but still they did it so they must figure it's a cost saving measure. The lady that waited on us pointed out that the park passes that usually come out for the holidays will now be given out later. That use to be the whole idea. This is the time ... during the holidays ... that guests come to visit. They use to give us tickets so we could treat our love ones to the parks. Yoko pointed out that's how they are taking our benifits, one small little bite at a time. So small if you don't pay attention ... you don't even notice. Bet they do the same with the guests ... with the packages and such. I mean why should we be the only ones they #*(% !!!!!!

Thanksgiving

No grumbling ... no moaning today ... just thanks.

I am thankful for having a job ... today and for all the people, places, things, opertunities and experiences that it has brought me. I've made good friends here and courted my wife there. I thank you, Mickey, for today and the hope of a possible tommorow.

Countdown ... Day 45

11/22/06

Went into work today and didn't get to the front of the lug room without hearing about the meeting. Willie Duke had gone and was telling the tale. It seems as if there is a large contingancy that is against a global bid and they may do a reshuffling of only the valets. Bob says that's because our hotel has such a top heavy staff the others fear displacement. Willie then said it broke down into an argument about getting a raise and such so he just left. What he said mabe me think of that line from "Lawerance of Arabia" about the Arabs being a stupid and silly people. I think it summes up the T2 staff. Raises! In all likelyhood come April when the contract is up we will be gone entirely. We should be demanding a global bid if for no oth er reason than Disney doesn't want it. It would be too much effort ... too much disruption to do right now and in their time frame. If they stick to a certain number per hotel ... some people will not make the cut and will be offered other placement even though this global act will permit others with lesser senority to stay.

Bob says he thinks when they impliment the change that some of us will be assigned as "Doormen" to handle the bags. I wonder if they will have us handle the luggage on the curb and delivery as a front. Karl says at the Gaylord Palm Hotel where bags already operate the valet service thy do the bags as well, preping them for the bellmen. This will mean that if this happens we will be at their mercy to operate honestly. We've already had valets who only think of themselves and give the impression that they are taking complete care of the luggage. They have none of the Disney heritage or loyalty to us. To them, we are just "The other guys" that they will some day take over.

Just a couple of random thoughts.

A lady from the front desk moved down from the North to Florida because they love Disney sooo much that they wanted to be part of the "magic." She now says she wishes they hadn't because after seeing the reality it has been ruined for her.

The Beach Club Hotel a week ago Thursday, held for it's valet staff a party to show their appriciation for all their good work and meeting the new guidelines that the company was auditing. The next day they were told they were being outsourced.

Today the Manger of Maitenence was holding a "rah rah" session spreading "pixie dust." He was asked why should they make any extra effort after what was happening to the valets? He did not comment.

But that comment does ask a good question. We are not the first to be outsourced. We are the first to be outsourced that deals with the general public. We know that the Company is commited to this dirrection. Think a momment. The busses run by Mears Motor Service. The resteraunts are McDonald's. The hotels are Motel Six. When that happens will this be Walt's dream? I don't think so. What makes this place special is the cast members ... at least so I've been told for the last 25 years. The latest slogan is ... "The magic begins with you." This is Eisner's legacy. Through the mistreatment of their employees and the idea that we were one big family, he and his cronies started deading the spirits and people who cared. Now every person at Disney has to know that they are expendable at any moment. There is no commitment or loyalty given ... why should any be returned.

Now maybe it might be argued I am being simplistic or unrealistic. After all it might be pointed out that outsourcing is a common business practice. But as I pointed out at a meeting more than a decade ago, Disney isn't succesful because they did what every other company did. What set them above other simular venues was that they went above and beyond. The Disney theme parks exist because Walt saw the need for a family experience that would be clean and wholesome. With out the castmembers , the Parks are just an over priced carny. If Walt was alive ... I think Management would be outsourced.

Don't bother coming any more. The way things are going ... Disney is dead.

Day 46

After three days away, I expected some details upon my return. There was not alot at first. Some did not even know we had the blurb in the paper. It wasn't til late that I found out from Bob that there was a union meeting this night. Hopefully we will get the skinny tommorrow.

47 AND COUNTING

Did not go into work today. I had a floating holiday to blow and so spent the day emptying the Tivo onto DVDs, petting Ollie the Cat and doing my first track of music. It's for my Christmas card I post on my site ... it didn't come out half bad, if I do say so myself.

Yoko sent me this:

Disney Hotels Contract Out Baggage Jobs

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Orlando Sentinel) – The first workers to greet many tourists at Walt Disney World will soon be some other company's employees. Disney World plans to turn over at least 167 bell, valet and baggage service jobs to an outside company in January. The jobs will go to Baggage Airlines Guest Service (BAGS), the company that already runs Disney's Magical Express, the service that transports Disney's visitors to and from Orlando International Airport. Union officials plan to protest said Joe Condo, international vice president of the Transportation and Communications Union, which represents the affected workers. Disney is planning to offer them other jobs at comparable wages, tip opportunities and hours, said spokesman Jacob DiPietre. "The details are still being negotiated with the union," he said. "Comparable: that's going to be the magic question," Condo responded. "And why are they doing it in the first place? To save money. That's why we are going to fight this." Condo said Disney officials told him that the change was being made to improve quality, but he said he didn't believe that, adding, "That's a slap to our workers." Disney World has recently subcontracted several other duties, involving a few hundred of its 59,000 employees, including 120 overnight custodians being replaced in December. But until now, such changes affected workers who aren't in contact with the public, because they either work late-night shifts or in nonpublic areas. The bell and baggage-service workers typically are the first to greet Disney visitors when they get out of a bus, taxi or car. Valet workers attend to hotel guests in their rooms. The BAGS workers reportedly will be dressed in themed costumes. Not every Disney hotel will be affected initially. The change begins with the Grand Floridian Resort on Jan. 7. Other hotels where Disney intends to contract out the baggage services include the All-Star Resort and the Pop Century Resort.

DAY 48 ...

Sunday 11/19/06

Today we packed up and had breakfast at Borris' Family Resteraunt. After pancakes and omlets we went back to Orlando ... resteted and then saw a movie ... "Stranger Than Fiction." Enjoyed it a great deal. We dined at Steak and Shake and I had perhaps the best Egg Nog shake I have ever had. They are always a special something I treat myself to during the holidays. These blow McDonald's away. Returned home and relaxed. Have to admit the shadow of work touched me once or twice during the day.

49 DAYS TO GO

Sat: 11/18/06

Today is the start of my weekend and as planned Yoko and I went down to St. Pete. Yoko is meeting my Mother's side of the family including my Auntie Donna. She had the support of my Stepmother Sylvia, but did not need it as the Cousins welcomed her into the family with welcome arms. A good day after a definate bad one.

50 DAYS TO GO

Fri: 11/17/06

Alright ... Its been awhile since I've written anything ... sorry. But today I was given lovely slice of haggis that makes it nessescary to vent, rant rage ... or what ever. But let me start from the day before.

I had been having a really bad week and it looked as thursday would not show me any relief. I had been sent on wild goose chases for my first two work orders. After a couple of DME (Disney Magical Express ) work orders I had $6 in my pocket. I waited for 3 more hours to my next run That was a stiff but my last run was the pip. The guest called back after he placed the work order and gave the instructions to leave the bags outside the door. I have had people hide in the bathroom, out on the balcony ... they've even grabbed them out of my hands and slammed the door. But this was a first.

Any way I guess I shouldn't of been worryed because I had covered myself by taking to my manager. Still I couldn't help but be concerned that my last guest's luggage might not make it his room. But I still had these dreams of the Area Manager calling me into his office and had attributed them to my agravations of the last night. However I was a little shaken when just like in my dream Joe called me into his office.

But the news he gave was worse than what I had associated to last night. Management was conveying as we came in that as of January 7th 2007, the BAGS company ( They are the ones running the shipping of luggage for DME ) are taking over the valet half of the buisness as well as the full bell service of the All Star resorts. All the valets will become bellmen or deployed to other areas. They say that they know no other details than that. It is rumored that at the Contemporary we will have 18 positions. On a personal level ... even though I have been working bellman shifts for about the last 7 years I was arbitarilly a few years ago deligated as a valet. This means I am one of the effected. It is not clear how they will reorganize us. I am 14 in the grand scheme of things in seniority, behind Terry H and Tone. So If they do it by resort I should still have a job there but will loose weekends , still work nights and will only see Yoko for only two nights. Others like maybe Karl will maybe not make the cut. The place will not be same with out Karl. But perhaps we are all out. We who have toiled for decades ... hurt backs ... earned bone spurs and vericase veins. There is a another shoe that may drop ... our contract is up come April. And who knows what doom that may bring.

Shame because they are replacing us with nothing vested in the company to be the very first to represent them. It does not matter what they say ... or what they do ... I have to wonder what else they are up to ... and I can not trust them. We all knew this day would come ... we just hoped it might be ... later. If Walt was alive they would all be getting the out sourcing.

I am lucky and have a supportive wife. I will do what has to be done for us. Yoko was a pillar of strength for me to lean on. I thank God for such a blessing. Though as much as I try to keep my spirits up ... it is hard with an uncertain future. This is one hell of a holiday Turkey to give us.