End of the Summer Season

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Barb on August 1, 2009 at 2:28pm

There certainly feels like a "hump" this mid season but the staff at Xanterra's Mt Rushmore are continually trying to keep thier employees motivated. Soon a group will travel from here to Yellowstone for a long weekend and we have the nicest of "employee appreciation days" with good discounts at the gift shop and a great bar-b-que on the patio. We have just begun the annual Sturgis Bike Rally so there is plenty of eye candy and lots of work. Some of our new found friends have returned home and we'll miss them but if it wasn't for the staff at Mt Rushmore many would have possibly left earlier than anticipated.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Brenda on August 1, 2009 at 9:27pm

I have seen it time and time again, no matter where ya go, or how much the employers do for the employees there is always going to be those that just quit and are not happy. Up here at the North Rim we have had a lot of peeps quit and where I work, there is actually only 2 of us left from the orrigional crew that opened the season. There are sometimes cercumstances where it was noot cracked up to what it first was and other times it got better. Today we had a celebration because it's our Hump day. They had a carnival with fortune telling and games and food and so on. They didn't have that last year. All they had was the big 4th of july parade and water fight. So Forever resorts is trying a bit different this year.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Brenda on August 1, 2009 at 9:41pm

Well after reading that article Kari, I am not nessecarrily agreeing with that writer. yes it starts to wear thin at times after a while but most employees no matter where there at or age, don't get that drastic. I think that experience that guy witnessed is an exception to the rule and very rare.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rob on August 1, 2009 at 10:25pm

In my opinion, this article has less to do with seasonal workers like us and more to do with local kids on school break that couldn't care less about working. I think we are different (although there are exeptions) because most of us either want to go on to another job and need a reference, or want to come back. We aren't just working until school starts and will never be back. Just my opinion...

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by aggie71 on August 2, 2009 at 5:18am

I like Rob's analysis ... it is rare for the 20-somethings to go off the deep end prior to leaving their summer gigs. My take is that the vast majority of summer workers want to do a good job, and end their summer contracts as agreed. Sure, you always have a few bad apples. Delaware North has agreed to some special "cookouts" at the EDR to keep morale up as things wind down here at Yellowstone. They are holding a "job fair" in a week or so to see if they can get people to sign up for next year. Trouble is they also announced that there would be no raises for returnees. Most people I have talked to are sick of working for minimum wages, and claim that they will not be back. We'll see.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Connie on August 2, 2009 at 7:42am

I really loved and respected the people who work for DNC. (at the corporate level as well as those of us who were at the bottom of the pay scale.

However,Delaware North (Fed Minimum) wage is 75 cents an hour less than where I live (Illinois Minimum wage)... Montana and Wyoming have the lowest state minimum wages in the nation... DNC may pay more at other parks...

The following comes form a Dec.2007 news release DNC put out:
Financial stability has always been a priority for Delaware North. It finished the year with the highest revenue in its history - $2.3 billion. With approximately 200 locations in seven market sectors served by 50,000 associates around the world, Delaware North is one of the largest privately held companies. As well, it is one of the most respected culinary and hospitality companies.

So, math guys and gals, my question is; on the average how much did each of the associates make in profit for them in 2007?

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by reggie on August 2, 2009 at 1:55pm

i agree with rob also u have people that are lazy and its there first time away from home and dont know how to act here at denali u are never bored there is something u can do here i dont care when people say there are bored there is always something to do

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Hans West on August 5, 2009 at 3:50pm

Hi, I know I'm just kind of jumping blind into this discussion chain (pardon me) but does anyone know of what the Alaskan fishing industry looks like in terms of employement possibilities these days? I realize that summer is almost over but I have done some basic research and it looks like there are fishing seasons outside of summer up there. Currently , is this sector of the Alaskan economy void or plentiful of any jobs? I have looked at various sites but it's been difficult to find anything up to date for 2009. Any answers out there?

Kind Regards,

Hans

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by akscootr on August 5, 2009 at 4:29pm

The crab fishing has gone from 300+ boats to around 40 in Dutch Harbor, so getting those jobs are very hard. Even with my experience/contacts it is nearly impossible due to the abundance of very experienced deckhands looking for work. The Salmon is essentially over with. It may be possible to do Pollock or Halibut, but the best way to get those jobs is simply go to the docks and start talking to boat owners.... King Salmon is dead this year from what I have heard.

Regarding the article... The net here is not accepting the page, but I guess the article is not very positive. My take is all about the management; What do they do to make a busy job pleasant? At Snow Lodge the employees are fairly happy; At Old Faithful we are losing people like crazy to to a couple of lousy managers who make the job more of an endurance contest. Some people went to Snow Lodge and now love their jobs. These two managers like to yell at people even when those people are not doing anything wrong.... Five quit today and I gave my notice because I was refused my paycheck despite following guidelines for picking it up. These losses here are not lazy kids or complainers, in fact they are former managers and returnees. Earnings play a big role also; Most here bring home 350-450 every two weeks and the employees are realizing that they will be broke at the end of the season despite their efforts to save money. I make 1/2 of what I did last year despite more work.
Sometimes, when the situation is wrong, one must go. It is that simple... I hate to break contract but I feel it is necessary as do many of the others working here. It is the first time I have done so and I feel that due to these two managers I am forced to leave and ruin future opportunities with Xanterra at other properties. I will not tolerate being denied what I have earned. With so many awesome people from all over the world here this could be the best place on earth to work if it was pleasant, but it is very stressful with the constant threat of write-up or firing being held over our heads. Management should inspire respect, not fear.... It is because of the friends I have made I don't regret working here, but only because of those friends. Sorry if I sound negative, but I am telling the truth. There does not need to be a "hump" in this line of work.....

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Keith Larson on August 7, 2009 at 8:21am

I wrote a little about this last year in my blog Short-Term-itits. It's not uncommon.

Some methods to combat this is to have something to look forward to after the season. I usually have my next season lined up by the middle of the current season. What I really look forward to is the vacation I have planned for the interim. This time it's Waikiki and Vegas. A couple of co-workers this season have been saving to spend a couple of months exploring Southeast Asia...a not so good day becomes a day in Bali.

Employers would have to take a preventative approach. If it's already there, there is nothing they can do... Maybe I'll write about this later.

There are very few things that I would consider extreme enough to break a contract. They really are because The company really broke first. Anything to do with not paying...this isn't the same as not thinking you're being paid enough, but any withholding of pay or simply not paying the amount agreed upon. Not feeling physically safe. Anything else included in the agreement...if there is a place that says, for example, they have a food plan and they do not...it might not be as good as they claim, but that is subjective.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by akscootr on August 8, 2009 at 3:55pm

I have finally been able to read the article; That occurrence is highly unusual. I don't think the author who wrote that is taking into account the many pros who also work seasonally.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Brenda on August 8, 2009 at 4:05pm

thats what I said to ak, it is very unusual. It's as if the guy was focused solely on the cons and the extreme rare cons of seasonal jobs.

▶ Reply to This

• First
• Previous
• Next
• Last