Angel, Big A Employees Wait, Worry About Future

Carole Hirsch lied about her age to get a job as an Anaheim Stadium usher in 1977. She was a few months shy of 18, the minimum-age requirement, but she wanted to work there after years of attending Angel games with her father.

That meant Hirsch had to work on Father’s Days, up in the View Level, while her father, a season-ticket holder, sat behind home plate. She also had to work Sunday, Mother’s Day, while her 16-month-old daughter was at home.

It has been this way for 19 years. But as the Walt Disney Co. assumes operational control of the Angels and Anaheim Stadium, she wonders if she will see another season.

“My father died and I can never have those Father’s Days back,” Hirsch said. “They told me they were expecting a huge crowd Sunday, so I had to work on Mother’s Day. I didn’t mind. But I don’t know if I’ll have a job here after this year. It’s sad.”

Hirsch, like all Angel and Anaheim Stadium employees, faces the uncertainty that goes with Disney’s purchase. The deal was completed Tuesday night when the Anaheim City Council approved a plan to renovate Anaheim Stadium.

It left everyone from team President Richard Brown to Hirsch wondering what future they have, if any, with the newly formed Disney Baseball Enterprises.

*

Angel front office employees are expected to learn their fate today. Brown said Disney will post its job list, which will eliminate 15 to 20 current positions--most of them in marketing, sales, ticketing, community relations and media relations.

But the stadium workers, employed by the city, will have to wait until at least August before learning if they will continue to have jobs, according to a city source.

In all, the city employs 566 ushers, ticket sellers, ticket takers and cleaners at the stadium and Anaheim Convention Center, most as part-time workers. The nearly 300 that work at the stadium will have to apply with Disney to keep their jobs.

Hirsch, the union representative, has attempted to contact Disney officials on the employees’ behalf for nearly three weeks, but said none of her five telephone calls were returned.

Bill Robertson, a spokesman for Disney, said officials were not allowed to discuss the deal until it was official, even to explain hiring procedures to potential employees. He said Disney will begin accepting applications, “at the appropriate time.”

“We are committed to interviewing all who express interest,” Robertson said.

Disney was expected to announce the list of Angel front office jobs last week and unemployment meetings were scheduled for Monday, according to a staff member. But Disney officials have twice put off the announcement. As a result, all staff members attended the unemployment meetings, according to a staff member.

Full-time employees will receive one week’s salary for each year with the organization, according to a source.

“There will be people terminated because of job duplication,” Brown said last week. “I don’t think the baseball side of the operation will be touched.”

That, however, will likely not include Brown, who is expected to lose his job.

“It’s no big secret that it’s highly likely I’ll be moving on,” Brown said last week. “My main concern is that the people here get settled. Those people come first. I’m one person.”

Sources said Brown has a three-year severance package worth about $1 million.

Less certain is the fate of the stadium employees.

Ushers, ticket takers and ticket sellers and cleaners who work at the stadium and convention center agreed to a one-year contract Friday, which still needs to be approved by the City Council. In it is a conditional provision for the stadium employees to receive severance pay should they not be hired by Disney.

If they are not retained, workers most meet conditions to receive the severance pay, according to Hirsch. Employees must apply with Disney and be interviewed. If they are not hired, they have to apply to work at the convention center. If turned down there, they would receive the money on Dec. 31.

Union representatives originally wanted $300 per year served and the city countered with a one-time payment of $50. The two sides agreed on a plan based on time of service--ranging from $50 per year for an employee who has worked 25 years or more to one-time payment of $50 for those who have worked between one and four years. Those on the job less than a year will not receive any money.

The approximately 200 parking lot attendants have a similar provision, but one that’s less costly to the city. Instead of a severance clause, they will receive a one-time $75 payment for remaining through the season. Disney has the option of letting those employees continue to work, hiring their own attendants or contracting with another vendor, according to Hill.

Hill said convention center jobs will be held open as they become available for those who wish to transfer from the stadium.

Concession and souvenir workers are under contract for one more year with Ogden Facility Management Corp., which also handles those services at the Pond.

For some, the reapplication process isn’t worth the trouble.

“I’m hanging ‘em up after this year,” said usher Roger Hodson, 33. “I have worked here 16 years and now I have to apply for my job?”

Hodson has another job, working as an operating assistant for a financial firm. He said his ushering job was more for enjoyment than money. Others are not so fortunate.

“About three-fourths of the ushers have two jobs and families,” Hirsch said. “If they don’t need the money, why are they working two jobs? I work two jobs and I need the money.”

Hirsch’s husband, Tim, worked at a bakery but has been on disability for a year after injuring his back. He has started a one-year training program to become an X-ray technician. In the meantime, the family survives on Hirsch’s pay. She makes $8.07 an hour as an usher.

“I get up at 5 a.m. for my other job,” said Hirsch, who is a cash clerk for a gym. “It’s fun here [at the stadium] and I enjoy it, but we need the money.”

Other ushers, who asked not to be identified, said they also needed the money, including many who are retired and supplement their Social Security income.

For Hirsch, the job also means more than money. Her father, Emery, was the jeweler used by the Angels and even designed a team watch. She accompanied him to the games and decided she “might as well get paid for it.”

Now she might not have that opportunity.

“My opinion is that none of us will be back,” Hirsch said. “And not because we don’t want to be back. I will gladly wear mouse ears and take people to their seats.”

Times staff writer Mike DiGiovanna contributed to this report.