ORLANDO, FLA – Pressed by limits on its theme parks and other restrictions due to the pandemic, The Walt Disney Co said on Tuesday it plans to lay off 28,000 workers in its division parks in California and Florida
Two-thirds of planned layoffs involve part-time workers, but they range from salaried employees to hourly workers, Disney officials said
Disney parks closed last spring as the pandemic began to spread throughout the US Florida parks reopened this summer, but California parks have yet to reopen as the company awaits advice from the state of california
In a letter to employees, Josh D’Amaro, president of Disney Parks, Experience and Product, said that « California’s reluctance to lift restrictions that would allow Disneyland to reopen » has exacerbated the situation for the company
D’Amaro said his management team had worked hard to try to avoid layoffs They had cut expenses, put projects on hold and changed operations, but that wasn’t enough given the number of people allowed in the park due to social distancing restrictions and other pandemic-related measures, he said
<p duration of the pandemic ", he declared
The California Health Secretary said on Tuesday the state was on the verge of finding a way to responsibly reopen theme parks
« We know a number of Californians are impatient and wondering when this will happen, and we are working with those industries to come up with something thoughtful, that allows us to keep the rest of our framework strong, and really follow these principles of slowness and thoroughness to ensure that these great activities are carried out responsibly, ”said Dr. Mark Ghaly, California Secretary of Health and Human Services
Disney officials have said the company will provide severance packages to employees, where appropriate, and also offer other services to help workers find employment
Officials at the union that represents actors who play Disney characters at theme parks have said they are having conversations with Disney officials about how they will be affected, according to Actors’ Equity Association
Officials from the Service Trades Council Union, which represents 43,000 workers at Disney World in Florida, said they had had similar conversations
« We were disappointed to learn that the Covid-19 crisis led Disney to make the decision to fire cast members, » the coalition of six unions said in a statement
About 950 workers at Local 11 Unite Here in California will be laid off from November 1, union leaders said
Disney officials have not offered a breakdown of layoffs between Florida and California operations Walt Disney World in Florida has around 77,000 employees, while the Disneyland Resort in California has over 30,000 workers
With its parks closed due to the April pandemic, Disney laid off up to 43,000 workers while continuing to pay for health insurance at its Florida resort It brought back many after it reopened in July. workers on leave in California also received health benefits
In a statement, US Representative Val Demings, an Orlando Democrat, said the layoffs show the need for additional Congressional relief from the coronavirus
« These layoffs show once again how desperately needed this aid to American households and businesses, » Demings said
Adam Beam of the AP in Sacramento, Calif., and Amy Taxin in Orange County, Calif., contributed
Disney layoffs
World news – US – Disney to lay off thousands in « happiest place in the world »
