Disney World Furloughing 43,000 More Workers Due to Virus

ORLANDO, Fla.—Walt Disney World plans to stop paying wages to 43,000 workers in about a week while allowing them to keep their benefits for up to a year in what is the largest wave of furloughs since the theme park resort closed in mid-March because of the spread of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as novel coronavirus.

Workers will be able to keep their medical, dental and life insurance benefits for the length of the furlough period, or up to a year. Seniority and wage rates will remain unchanged for the workers whose furloughs start April 19, according to a statement from the Service Trades Council, the coalition of unions representing the Disney World workers.

“The union agreement provides stronger protections and benefits for 43,000 union workers at Disney than virtually any other furloughed or laid-off workers in the United States,” the union said in a statement to members.

About 200 workers will remain on the job performing “essential duties” during the closure, and they will be offered positions based on seniority, the union said.

The agreement with the Service Trades Council marked the largest group of workers at Disney World to come to terms on furloughs with the company during the virus outbreak. With 77,000 workers, Disney World is the largest single-site group of workers in the nation.

Disney Worlds theme parks, entertainment district and hotels closed in mid-March, and Disney has been paying its workers while they stay at home. That is scheduled to end April 19, Disney officials have said, because they dont know when the theme park resort will reopen.

Cinderella Castle is seen at the end of an empty Main Street at Disney Worlds Magic Kingdom theme park after it closed in an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19, in an aerial view in Orlando, Fla., on March 16, 2020. (Gregg Newton/Reuters)

On Friday, unions representing security guards and workers involved in facilities and operations reached agreements under similar terms.

Earlier this week, Disney World and a union representing musicians who perform at its theme parks reached a similar agreement.

Disney also said it would furlough executive, salaried and hourly nonunion employees whose jobs arent necessary at this time.

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