Disney’s Iger quits California recovery task force, theme parks at odds with state over reopening
Walt Disney Co. Executive Chairman Bob Iger has resigned from California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s COVID-19 economic task force as the theme park industry is asking the state to hold back on releasing reopening guidelines until the industry can comment on the proposed rules, according to the Sacramento Bee.
Iger joined the task force that was created to assist in reviving California’s economy in April. But in the past month the state and Disneyland’s relationship soured as Disney has been asking the state for guidelines so it could reopen.
Every other Disney theme park in the world has reopened with temperatures checks, mandatory face masks, enhanced cleaning and social distancing. Downtown Disney, the shopping and dining area at Disneyland reopened in July.
Disneyland, as well Universal Studios and other theme parks, have asked the state not to finalize the state’s COVID-19 reopening guidelines without first working with the industry, the California Attractions and Parks Association announce.
Iger’s departure comes as Disney announced this week it was laying off 28,000 employees from Disneyland and Walt Disney World due to the coronavirus pandemic. WARN Act layoff notices so far filed with Florida and California stated that 6,700 non-union employees would be part of the layoffs in Florida and 2,750 cast members in California. Disney is working with unions now on union position layoffs.
The layoffs include employees at both parks, in entertainment, the Walt Disney Travel Co., Walt Disney Imagineering, the Disney Vacation Club and employees at Orlando International Airport.
