Carnevil
  •  Carnevil
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Wednesday, August 17, 2005 7:23:17 AM
Labour demands meaningful penalties for midway company
17 hour days at less than minimum wage are not 'minor' violations
Aug 03, 2005

The Alberta Federation of Labour is demanding the government do more than simply give Canadian Midway Co a warning for employment law violations at Edmonton's Klondike Days and the Calgary Stampede.

"North American Midway, parent company of the Canadian Midway Co, has been grossly exploiting young South African workers," says AFL President Gil McGowan. "We have teenagers who have been worked 17 hours a day. They have endured terrible living conditions, and, at the end of the day, they have made less than minimum wage for their labour."

"I have news for the Alberta government - these are not "minor" violations," says McGowan. "By brushing aside the blatant mistreatment of these young workers, the government is sending the wrong message to employers everywhere in the province. I assure the government that most Albertans do not agree with the whitewash of this employer's actions."

He is particularly upset with the sly 'wink and nod' attitude of the government. "What's the point of having rules if they're not enforced? Rules without real consequences are not rules at all," says McGowan

In fact, McGowan is convinced that most employers in the province would not agree with the lack of penalties in this case. "One bad actor like this, if left unpunished, could tarnish the image of all Alberta companies," says McGowan.

"This government needs to do a 180 degree turn in its attitudes to working Albertans," concludes McGowan. "Immediately reversing this decision to do nothing would be a good place to start."


Heres the link to the pagehttp://www.afl.org/news/default.cfm?newsId=329 
Its not impossible it just costs more.
skywheel88
Wednesday, August 17, 2005 7:30:06 AM
I know I never got rich working on a midway and I worked from open to close everyday, but it was the greatest experience of my life and I'm not going to go crying to the government about it.[:D][:D][:D] I guess I'm just old school though...
Kenny.

skywheel88
carnyguy2
Wednesday, August 17, 2005 4:30:26 PM
All a show owner asks is " A good weeks work for a good days pay.
plus isn't canadian money worth like half ours anyway? I know they have terrible beer.

Dont eat the peanuts
Carnyguy2
gruelurks
Wednesday, August 17, 2005 5:26:11 PM
Unions time has come and gone. The global conglamerate is upon us, and way too late to do much about it.

// I'll take Canadian biére over the American swill just about any day, but gimme some good Belgium/German ales...

// drink a six of Molson XXX, or Hacker Pschorr Weisse; call me in the morning
skywheel88
Wednesday, August 17, 2005 6:22:46 PM
Canadian Beer will make you wake up under a bus stop bench wondering who you are, German Beer will make you wake up in the subway station wondering who you are and where you're at! And yes, our money is worth crap.[:D]
Kenny.

RRSHOW1
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Thursday, August 18, 2005 3:54:22 AM
This is going to happen everytime the business goes legitimate. NAME wanted to be big business, so it won't be long before the states mandate an hourly wage minimum for carnivals & the unions try to get in again.
One year in the 70's, we hired a couple of men in Hamburg, NY. They wanted to quit early in Syracuse & of course, the show wouldn't pay them til payday. They went to the labor board & ended up getting paid for EACH HOUR they had worked. This is the future of the carnival business.
BigSumo
Thursday, August 18, 2005 4:58:06 AM
There is a leagl way to protect yourself as a an ower / joint owner. Have each of your employees sign an Employment Contract and agree to work as Independant Contractors. All of my employees sign a contract stating that their "Unique ability" is being and that they are being hired for that ability as a Independant Contrator. I have not had to try it out in court yet (Mainly becuas ethe guy I hire for his "Unique Ability" to beat the living out of someone handles all pay disputes) but I am sure it will hold up should it be tried.

Besides, if the spot is not a blank, and you know what you are doing, at 20 points, you should be able to make well over minimum wage or maybe you should find another profession.
Clarke

Jacta alea est - "The Die is Cast"
Trucker090
Thursday, August 18, 2005 8:21:00 AM
As I knew it the carnival profession did not come under the minimum wage. Same as farm workers!! But who am I to say, and that was back when gas was $.50 a gallon. I wish I could of gotten minimum wage when I was growing up!! When I was 22 I worked for the phone company for 40 hrs I got $52.50 a week gross to start!! "Did not stay there long" At least with the carnival I got the shakes!!
<h5>"If you cant run with the BIG dogs stay on the porch"</h5>

UserPostedImage

http://wwwseattlewheel.ning.com
Hoffa
  •  Hoffa
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Friday, August 19, 2005 8:05:47 PM
Quote:

quote:


Originally posted by Trucker090

As I knew it the carnival profession did not come under the minimum wage. Same as farm workers!! But who am I to say, and that was back when gas was $.50 a gallon. I wish I could of gotten minimum wage when I was growing up!! When I was 22 I worked for the phone company for 40 hrs I got $52.50 a week gross to start!! "Did not stay there long" At least with the carnival I got the shakes!!

We've been challanged on the overtime premium exemption. It's a law that even the investigator was aware of.
A man's legacy isn't the business he leaves behind; it's the family he leaves behind.

Coastercameron
Friday, August 19, 2005 8:13:35 PM
I know I will sound extremely ignorant in this post, because for the most part, I am with regards to this. I'm just looking for a little information to help me understand this thread.


So, working a carnival you will make LESS than minimum wage? If someone could in general explain the pay system of a carnival, it would be extremely useful for those of us who aren't with it.
Fly_By_Night_Carnie
Friday, August 19, 2005 8:32:39 PM
Honestly it all boils down to the show and people you work for.
Quote:

quote:


Originally posted by Coastercameron

I know I will sound extremely ignorant in this post, because for the most part, I am with regards to this. I'm just looking for a little information to help me understand this thread.


So, working a carnival you will make LESS than minimum wage? If someone could in general explain the pay system of a carnival, it would be extremely useful for those of us who aren't with it.


Retired but missing it...
"The hussle hard but we have to enterprise..."-Wycleaf Jean-

"For all your travel needs ... just give me a click"
thumper7973
Sunday, August 21, 2005 4:36:08 PM
Ride help generally make a "weekly salary" and may include "living quarters".
GO GATORS ! 2008 BCS National "Chomp-ions" !

It is better to be defeated on principle than to win on lies- Arthur Calwell
The Flowergirl
Sunday, August 21, 2005 8:46:19 PM
Quote:

quote:


Originally posted by Coastercameron


So, working a carnival you will make LESS than minimum wage? If someone could in general explain the pay system of a carnival, it would be extremely useful for those of us who aren't with it.



What also matters is not how much you make, but how much you get to keep. Other types of businesses paying hourly wages have ways of dinging you too. Also, if you don't get the chance to put hours in, it doesn't make much difference what the per hour is. I know that I take home more than some tv news reporters in my home town because even though they make 10.50/hr., they only work 25hrs/wk.
The more you know, the greater your life
can be.
with-it
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Sunday, August 21, 2005 9:22:07 PM
How about calculating the actual time a guy is working and time standing with thumb up their***waiting to work and you will see some guys get paid wayyyyy to much.....Just because they are there 14 hours does'nt mean they are "working" 14 hours......