Disney World’s largest union comments on layoff announcement

Earlier today the Walt Disney Company announced plans to layoff 28,000 U.S. cast members from the Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Division due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This impacts Disneyland and Walt Disney World cast members as well as others. Citing the prolonged impact of COVID-19, including limited capacity due to physical distancing, the uncertainty of how long this will go on and the difficulty Disney is having with the state of California to lift restrictions for Disneyland to reopen, Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of the Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Division said cuts will be made on all levels.

“About 28,000 domestic employees will be affected, of which about 67% are part-time. We are talking with impacted employees as well as to the unions on next steps for union-represented Cast Members,” he wrote.

Disney World’s largest union, The Service Trades Council Union which represents six unions and represents 43,000 cast members released the following statement:

We were disappointed to learn that the Covid-19 crisis has led Disney to make the decision to layoff Cast Members.

Unlike at the other theme parks and hotels in Central Florida, Disney workers have a voice at the table because of our Union. We have begun negotiations with the Company about this news and its impact to Union members.

How many full-time and part-time Cast Members will be affected, how long health insurance and recall rights will continue and many other issues crucial to Cast Members are on the table. As soon as more information becomes available, we will notify our members.