As notices of layoffs continue to be announced around Disney Parks, Walt Disney World has provided a breakdown of what departments will be affected by the layoff of 6,700 non-union Cast Members in December.
According to WDWMagic, the resort’s Vice President of Employee Relations, Jim Bowden, explained where of 6,390 of the job losses will come from in a filing with the State of Florida. 6,246 were listed at the address of Team Disney, suggesting that this will effect operational staff around the resort. 65 Cast Members will be let go from the resort’s offices in Celebration, which house the administration, marketing and finance departments. 49 layoffs come from Orlando International Airport, which could include Disney’s Magical Express and the Magic of Disney shop. Creative Costuming will face 22 layoffs, and 8 were listed as coming from a building near the Central Reservations offices.
These are part of the 28,000 layoffs affecting Disney Parks, affecting union and non-union employees alike. Disney states that the prolonged impact of COVID-19 on their business, exacerbated by the extended closure of Disneyland, ultimately led to the mass layoff, which will impact executive, salaried, and hourly roles. The Service Trades Council Union has said they are working with Disney to negotiate how the layoffs will affect union Cast Members.
Our hearts go out to all Cast Members affected by this decision.
I just want to remind everyone that the executives went back to pre-Covid salaries about a month ago.
As someone who used to work in the tourism industry for years in Orlando, it breaks my heart to see all of the cast members and imagineers who will be losing their positions. This pandemic has really damaged the whole industry to the max. I really hope there will be a recovery of sorts in the near future.