Credit: Disney**UPDATED 04/11/2020 to reflect the latest information regarding the Disney Parks furlough agreement.**
Approximately 40,000 more unionized Walt Disney World employees will be furloughed beginning on April 19, 2020. You can read more about the latest update here.
Original Article:
When Disneyland and announced that they would be closing until further notice, they confirmed that Disney Parks Cast Members would be paid through April 18. The has been working with various Cast Member unions to reach agreements prior to the start of ‘ April 19 .
In a statement, Disney said that it has “reached agreements with several unions for hourly cast members that will maintain members’ , and additional programs during a 19.”
The Disney Parks announcement continued, “These agreements provide an easier return to work when our community recovers from the impact of COVID-19. We are grateful to have worked together in good faith to help our cast members navigate these .”
To date, Disney have reached furlough agreements with 12 Cast Member unions (and counting). The latest announcement (which took place on April 11, 2020) regarding the COVID-19 furloughs indicates that 40,000 Disney employees will be temporarily furloughed until the theme parks.
The ITM team knows Disney is doing everything in its power to keep both essential and non-essential workers safe during the pandemic. Essential Disney Cast Members are now reportedly allowed to wear masks to work and the executive teams at both Disney World and Disneyland are still working closely with Cast Member unions to ensure that workers’ needs are met throughout the pandemic.
In Southern California, these include the Independent Employee Service Association, Local 50, Master Services Council, Craft Maintenance Council, Locals 504, 706, and 923 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage , Laborers’ Local 652, Teamsters Local 495, and Operating Engineers Local 501.
Workers United Local 50 is the largest of these Disneyland CM unions, representing nearly 8,000 food and beverage Cast Members who will be at in Anaheim.
On the East Coast at Walt Disney World Resort, Disney has reached agreements with two CM unions so far, though it looks like discussions and negotiations continue.
Disney Parks executives have come to a furlough agreement with the American Federation of Musicians Local 389. This division represents musicians in Orlando. The also with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2088. This union represents hourly Cast Members who are in the Guest Services Call Center and other telecommunication roles.
Additionally, furloughs are expected to impact Walt Disney Studios employees beginning Sunday, April 19.