Disney World to furlough 43,000 workers due to coronavirus crisis as parks stay shut
THOUSANDS of Disney World workers will be out of a job and without pay as the coronavirus crisis forces its US parks to remain closed.
About 43,000 employees will be furloughed in a week, according to a statement from the Services Trades Council.
The Services Trades Council is the coalition of unions that represent Disney World workers.
Employees will be able to keep their medical, dental, and life insurance benefits for up to a year, the statement obtained by the reads.
Seniority and wages will remain unchanged for workers whose furloughs begin April 19.
About 200 workers will remain on the job to perform "essential duties" during the shutdown, and they'll be offered positions based on seniority, the union said.
The recent layoffs are part of the largest wave of furloughs since the theme park closed in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic.
At least 19,000 Americans have died from the virus in the US and more than 500,000 have been infected.
Last Friday, , including cast members and workers, in and due to the
According to CNBC, Disney has more than 177,000 staff across its US parks, but the company didn't say exactly how many would be affected.
The company had committed to providing full pay and benefits for all employees through April 18 despite the closure of its theme parks and halting its film and television productions.
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Disney officials told THR this will end on April 19 because they don't know when the theme park resort will reopen.
Meanwhile Disney's rivals, Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios, said they'd remain closed until May 31.
Part-time hourly workers will be furloughed beginning May 3, and full-time employees will be paid at 100% through April 19, Universal said.
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