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Lawsuit by Cabin Stewards against NCL's wage structure


smeyer418

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As a small business owner I can tell you 7 days a week 10-12 hrs a day is pretty normal for many of us. I have never had in 32 years 2 months off a year.

 

Now I am down to part time only about 50 hrs a week and about 3 weeks a year off.

 

I think I may retire and work for NCL more time off.

 

I totally agree. My DH is self-employed. Because commute distance was 4 hours away for his last job, he stayed on site. He spent 2 nights sleeping on a thin foam pad, running a generator to keep a small heater going. Including the 4 hours of driving to and from, he worked 3 days from 7am – 11pm (16 hrs/day). This is not an unusual occurrence. He works 6 – 7 days a week for most of the year at a minimum of 10 hrs a day. He is lucky to get one week off every 2 – 5 years. You do what you have to do.

He does not make big bucks and everything is relevant. His pay vs the cost of living here is far less than most of the ship’s crew makes vs their cost of living. No one is forcing my DH to do what he does any more than anyone is forcing the ship’s crew.

I think some posters on these boards that work cushy jobs with all of the benefits and time off fail to understand that there are a lot of workers in our own countries who do what they have to do for many reasons, just like NCL’s workers.

Is it really anyone’s business what they make or what their job consists of? IMO no, they are doing what they want to do and sacrificing what they are for a purpose (whatever their personal purpose is), it may be to put food on their tables or make ends meet, it may be to get ahead or maybe, just maybe the love what they do.

Do I feel sorry for the ship’s crew…no. Do I respect what they do…yes, the same as I respect anyone who works hard to make a living.

As for the original post, I’m glad to hear NCL has changed whatever the issue was and it is now a non-issue.

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I think your assumption that the stewards receive an average of $25 per cabin per week in tips (over and above the DSC) is way too high. I'd guess that the majority of cruisers leave nothing additional for the stewards, just as they leave nothing additional for the wait staff.

 

IMO you can't go by what you read about additional tipping on this forum because it's heavily populated by the cruise lines's fans. Also a disproportionate number of the regular posters on this NCL board are suite passengers or Casinos at Sea guests who are probably on average bigger tippers than the typical family cruising on a strict budget with 3 or 4 people jammed into a standard inside or outside cabin.

 

I do actually tip my cabin steward extra money at the end of each cruise typically around $20.

 

I do not add extra when ordering a drink except when receiving my complimentary drinks in the casino.

 

In the MDR I only add tip if I received great service and I was not looking around wondering where they are because I need something. In that case it's normally a $5 tip.

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As a small business owner I can tell you 7 days a week 10-12 hrs a day is pretty normal for many of us. I have never had in 32 years 2 months off a year.

 

Now I am down to part time only about 50 hrs a week and about 3 weeks a year off.

 

I think I may retire and work for NCL more time off.

 

But you get to go home at night and not sleep at work halfway around the world. So in fact NCL crew are at work 7x24.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk - Jim

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I think most if not all of us agree that the stewards work hard for their money and for the most part do a great job.

 

The problem I have is when some people here act as though stewards are some sort of downtrodden indentured servants working a unique unbearable situation, which is simply not the case.

 

There are workers in many places including the US who would consider the stewards' jobs and salaries a step up from their current situation.

 

And yes 12 hours seems like a long day but it is also a different quality of 12 hours off when you don't have to run to the grocery store, errands, laundry, cook meals, care for children and on and on.

 

Yes, let's respect and appreciate them for the job they do and reward them for a job well done, but I really don't think we need to nominate them for sainthood nor be made to feel like imperialistic dogs for enjoying their service on a cruise.

 

Just my 2.5 cents

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I think most if not all of us agree that the stewards work hard for their money and for the most part do a great job.

 

The problem I have is when some people here act as though stewards are some sort of downtrodden indentured servants working a unique unbearable situation, which is simply not the case.

 

There are workers in many places including the US who would consider the stewards' jobs and salaries a step up from their current situation.

 

And yes 12 hours seems like a long day but it is also a different quality of 12 hours off when you don't have to run to the grocery store, errands, laundry, cook meals, care for children and on and on.

 

Yes, let's respect and appreciate them for the job they do and reward them for a job well done, but I really don't think we need to nominate them for sainthood nor be made to feel like imperialistic dogs for enjoying their service on a cruise.

 

Just my 2.5 cents

 

well said

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I think most if not all of us agree that the stewards work hard for their money and for the most part do a great job.

 

The problem I have is when some people here act as though stewards are some sort of downtrodden indentured servants working a unique unbearable situation, which is simply not the case.

 

There are workers in many places including the US who would consider the stewards' jobs and salaries a step up from their current situation.

 

And yes 12 hours seems like a long day but it is also a different quality of 12 hours off when you don't have to run to the grocery store, errands, laundry, cook meals, care for children and on and on.

 

Yes, let's respect and appreciate them for the job they do and reward them for a job well done, but I really don't think we need to nominate them for sainthood nor be made to feel like imperialistic dogs for enjoying their service on a cruise.

 

Just my 2.5 cents

 

Very well said!

 

Just for S&G's I did some math.

 

12 hours a day at $7.50 an hour = $90 a day

$90 a day times 30 days = $2,700 a month

$2,700 a month times 9 months = $24,300 a year which is around what others are saying their salary is. This money is not taxed. Add on that they also get free room, board and laundry. All in all, that's pretty darn good and better than what a lot of others in our own country bring home. In their countries this is WAY more than they could make.

 

Do they deserve every penny? Yes!

Would I want to do their job? No.

Do I respect their sacrifice for themselves and their families? Yes.

I think they all made a choice knowing the work and the hours involved and there is no reason for anyone to feel guilty for enjoying their services.

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I think most if not all of us agree that the stewards work hard for their money and for the most part do a great job.

 

The problem I have is when some people here act as though stewards are some sort of downtrodden indentured servants working a unique unbearable situation, which is simply not the case.

 

There are workers in many places including the US who would consider the stewards' jobs and salaries a step up from their current situation.

 

I don't think they're downtrodden, indentured servants, but I think they'd be a lot better off if the cruise lines had to adhere to US labor laws.

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Very well said!

 

Just for S&G's I did some math.

 

12 hours a day at $7.50 an hour = $90 a day

$90 a day times 30 days = $2,700 a month

$2,700 a month times 9 months = $24,300 a year which is around what others are saying their salary is. This money is not taxed. Add on that they also get free room, board and laundry. All in all, that's pretty darn good and better than what a lot of others in our own country bring home. In their countries this is WAY more than they could make.

 

Do they deserve every penny? Yes!

Would I want to do their job? No.

Do I respect their sacrifice for themselves and their families? Yes.

I think they all made a choice knowing the work and the hours involved and there is no reason for anyone to feel guilty for enjoying their services.

 

Do we know for certain that they do not pay taxes at home?

 

John

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Do we know for certain that they do not pay taxes at home?

 

John

 

You are correct, we do not know if they pay taxes on that money at home.

I dont see how that changes anything, I still stand behind my opinion.

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Ok, I will play. Please point out exactly where the job description says they work 12-14 hours a day. Good luck, you won't be able to because they don't.

 

If you are going to play why didn't you answer my question?

 

I'll ask again, exactly what are the actual hours that they work?

 

Bill

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I am sure you are not willing to work as hard as the cabin stewards work. I give them a lot of credit. I know I wouldn't beable to do their job, no matter how much I was paid.

 

 

I am sure you are not willing to work as hard as the cabin stewards work. Oh, really ? And how would you know ? Be careful before you make presumptions about others' capabilities !

 

I know I wouldn't beable to do their job, no matter how much I was paid. Much better.

 

The reason they have to work so hard is because of the inconsiderate Pax who are such slobs that the Stewards have to pick up their stuff before they can even begin to clean. :)

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Lets face it the crew would never make the sacrifices of working onboard if they were not making more money then they could at home. They give up a lot for the all mighty dollar and to better the lives of their families.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone - Jim

 

all mighty dollar - preeety soon it might be the almighty peso. ;)

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Ok, my computer jumps around according to the wifi signal - like a tide that ebbs and flows - and I just saw the myriad of posts. Wow.

 

I learned one thing from this thread ... above the DSC, I tip way above the norm as has been stated or implied here, generously to a fault. Thank you all. My cabin stewards have all reported to their boss that they don't know what to do in our cabin (because it is so clean).

 

At any rate, thank you Barbara, for seeing my post for what it was. ;)

 

Enjoy your families folks.

 

Oh, "Life in NJ" - ask the housekeeping staff on the Jewel how often they caught me using handfuls of paper towels to clean up the bathroom sinks and picking up paper towels on the floor left behind by - well ... just sayin' :rolleyes:

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I don't think they're downtrodden, indentured servants, but I think they'd be a lot better off if the cruise lines had to adhere to US labor laws.

 

Better off how? The cruise ships don't seem to have an issue filling these positions, the crew aren't forced to work for the cruiselines. Since there are sacrafices like away from their families for long periods of time, it seems to me that the crew think their wages, working conditions etc are better than they could get whereever they are from. It appears the only people that take issue with it is some people on CC.

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There are plenty of people who work " that hard" on land for a similar or lesser wage and those jobs don't include meals / board. Yes, I am sure they work hard. But they aren't the only ones who work hard. Acting as if the stewards are mistreated doesn't seem like it fits withnthe reality of their situation.

 

It sounds like it could be a decent job for someone in the right circumstance. Either people coming from countries where their wages there would be a fraction of what they get paid on board for probably harder work in worse conditions or for a young person fresh out of school who wants to see the world before settling down. They choose these jobs willingly and it seems like it is a very good job for some people.

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There are plenty of people who work " that hard" on land for a similar or lesser wage and those jobs don't include meals / board. Yes, I am sure they work hard. But they aren't the only ones who work hard. Acting as if the stewards are mistreated doesn't seem like it fits withnthe reality of their situation.

 

It sounds like it could be a decent job for someone in the right circumstance. Either people coming from countries where their wages there would be a fraction of what they get paid on board for probably harder work in worse conditions or for a young person fresh out of school who wants to see the world before settling down. They choose these jobs willingly and it seems like it is a very good job for some people.

 

Finding anyone from the US to work these jobs even with US Labor rules and overtime proved very difficult. NCL went thru 10,000s of workers when the tried to staff 3 ships in Hawaii. Young Americans expected to tour the islands and party. They left their jobs by the dozens in every port. By combining the best of the best from 3 ships into 1 ship they finally were able to get the quality service we expect.

 

There are plenty of people who work hard for similar wages but can't deal with the total separation from family and friends for months at a time.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk - Jim

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But you get to go home at night and not sleep at work halfway around the world. So in fact NCL crew are at work 7x24.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk - Jim

 

Jim you do not own your own business do you ? We eat and sleep work, many dreams are about the shop, my wife works with me every dinner has something including work said. Even on the cruise will get updates about issues that need attention, fixing or things to happen. One year a 21 year employee dropped dead on Christmas night, yes the workers have hard job but so many others who do not get tips- EVER.

 

When you own your business there is no off the clock...

 

PS I do tip extra as I understand and reward good service not pity them

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Jim you do not own your own business do you ? We eat and sleep work, many dreams are about the shop, my wife works with me every dinner has something including work said. Even on the cruise will get updates about issues that need attention, fixing or things to happen. One year a 21 year employee dropped dead on Christmas night, yes the workers have hard job but so many others who do not get tips- EVER.

 

When you own your business there is no off the clock...

 

PS I do tip extra as I understand and reward good service not pity them

 

My point exactly. You do get to see your wife every day not 2 months a year. I am not saying many don't work as hard and some even harder. You are working to build YOUR business. Hopefully getting a good financial return at some point.

 

Last time I checked I did not any cabin stewards with enough cash to do a family cruise :)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone - Jim

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Funny enough this very issue was on British TV tonite on channel 4 dispatches. An undercover reporter joined a Carnival ship as an assistant waiter. He was told that he would be getting $1000 a month including tips. When he joined the ship and it had departed Southampton he finally received his contract. It stated $700 per month, when he complained he was told that his agency had made a mistake. Too late now though. He worked 15 hours a day with another 3 hours unpaid training a day. He then had to pay a security deposit of $700 and had to pay for his uniforms, $100

And he spoke to a steward that said they all had to employ labour themselves to help with the rooms

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http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/staticPage.html?pageId=NCLS.LifeOnboardok 10+ hours All the cabin stewards I have talked to have stated they work at least 12 hours 6am to 2 pm then 5 pm to 9pm point was they work a lot of hours for not much money!

 

Exactly as I said. You cannot show me where it is written they work 12-14 hours per day. Just a blurb about maybe working 10+. That is a long way from 14 hours a day seven days a week.

 

I have been on many NCL cruises as a platinum latitudes member. I have spoken to several stewards and they mostly tell me they work from about 8am-1pm. Have the afternoon off then resume duties at around 6pm-9pm. These hours are flexible, but how many rooms are they cleaning at 6-7am? Very few if any. I have been in the halls many times at 6-7am and don't recall ever seeing the cleaning carts or stewards out that early.

 

So, from my conversations with numerous stewards over the years, they seem to work about 9-10 hours per day.

 

Yes, they work hard and long hours but they make a tremendous wage. Almost all of thesee people are from third world countries where $20-30k per year is a small fortune.

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My point exactly. You do get to see your wife every day not 2 months a year. I am not saying many don't work as hard and some even harder. You are working to build YOUR business. Hopefully getting a good financial return at some point.

 

Last time I checked I did not any cabin stewards with enough cash to do a family cruise :)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone - Jim

 

I have met many crew members onboard who are married to other crew members onboard, so they get to see their spouse every day.

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If you are going to play why didn't you answer my question?

 

I'll ask again, exactly what are the actual hours that they work?

 

Bill

 

Be happy to. The answer is it varies. I have been on many cruises with NCL and after talking to many stewards about their hours the consensus I have gathered is about 8am-1pm. Afternoon off, then 6pm-9pm. This can vary day to day due to many factors. Stewards work til the job is done. Good stewards finish quicker and often help the slower (newer) stewards so they all can enjoy a good night's sleep. Hope that helps.

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