There’s trouble in the house of mouse.
Disney reached an agreement with the Services Trade Council Union (CTCU) to furlough 43,000 Disney World union workers starting April 19 due to COVID-19. Less than 200 essential workers will remain employed to handle necessary park maintenance.
According to the agreement, every employee’s job, seniority, wage rate, and benefits are guaranteed through the furlough; including health, medical, dental and life insurance. Disney also agreed to pay out vacation, floating holidays, paid time off, and sick days for furloughed employees. The company will also cover COVID-19 testing.
Since it’s not clear when the COVID-19 crisis will end and the park will reopen, there is no end date to the furlough.
Disney World employs more than 70,000 “cast members,” and reportedly welcomes more than 52 million guests per year, according to Magic Guides (Disney does not publically release attendance numbers). The theme park’s unexpected closing is undoubtedly leaving millions of dollars in the dust.
Even the biggest entertainment company in the world can’t escape the effects of the coronavirus.