Disney has reached furlough agreements with 10 unions representing workers in food and beverage, sound mechanics, stage managers, pyrotechnicians, stage technicians and other employees at the Disney land resort. Employees will be temporarily furloughed beginning on April 19th.
According to the OC Register Disney has issued a statement:
“Disney has reached agreements with several unions for hourly cast members that will maintain members’ health insurance benefits coverage, educational support and additional employee assistance programs during a temporary furlough effective April 19.
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 unprecedented times.”
The ten unions Disney has reached agreements with are: Workers United Local 50, Master Services Council, Laborers’ Local 652, Craft Maintenance Council, Operating Engineers Local 501, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees locals 706, 504 and 923, Teamsters Local 495 and Independent Employee Service Association.
Union members will retain health benefits and their seniority.
Workers United Local 50, which represents 7,850 employees of Disneyland stated the following on their Facebook Page:
“This evening we completed our negotiations with Disney over the terms of the closure going past April 18th.The agreement covers a number of items that members and union leadership have raised. This agreement covers members deemed essential during the resort closure, furloughs, and return to operations.
Effective April 19th non-essential food and beverage members will be furloughed. Negotiated as part of a furlough we were able to secure protections for signature benefits to be continued with no premium cost to the members. Employee perks, such as Aspire, will continue. Pensions and full-time hours requirements will be protected with credited hours. The negotiated agreement has recall language to ensure that food and beverage operations will be with Local 50 members and will observe seniority. If you are wishing to review the agreement and its details please contact us directly so we can arrange it. A summary of the agreement will be provided as soon as possible.
Beyond securing the much-needed protections mentioned above we unfortunately have no information about when the resort will be opened and members will return to work. As things change, we will continue to update everyone as fast as possible. The Union will also continue to provide assistance to cast members as we have been during this time. Continue to check out our website for resources that may be valuable to you, including how to apply for unemployment benefits. Stay safe everyone, we will get through this together.
In solidarity,
Chris Duarte
Workers United Local 50 President”
Disneyland is still in negotiations with some other unions at this time, according to the OC Register.
We will keep you posted.
Sources: OC Register, Workers United Local 50 Facebook,
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