NEWS: Two Unions Release Updates Regarding Disney World Employees Affected By Layoffs

Last week, Disney announced layoffs that would be affecting thousands of Cast Members in the Disney Parks, Experiences and Products division.

Walt Disney World

Since that time, we’ve seen some more information about these layoffs from various unions representing Disney employees. Now, we’re seeing more updates from several unions representing Cast Members in Orlando.

According to WESH 2 News, Local 1820 represents approximately 1,300 employees at Disney World. Local 1820’s area manager, Ronnie Rogers, says Disney has notified them that 149 of the Union’s members are set to be affected by these layoffs. Rogers said that Disney will be laying off the employees on November 1st, but “in the negotiations and whatnot, [they’re] looking at [Disney] paying [the union members] for another two months,” until January 1st.

Cast Members Outfits

Rogers said that many of the Local 1820 members are back on the job now because they are ride mechanics. Rogers is hoping that the 149 Cast Members who are set to lose their jobs “will be able to come back once tourists come back.”

Rogers also noted, “A lot of the people out of that 149 are resort workers, and so all the resorts aren’t open. There’re several of them that are closed, when they open them back up, then a lot of our people will come back to work.”

Haunted Mansion Cast Member

Ibew Local 606, which identifies itself as the representative International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union of the Orlando & Melbourne, FL area, also posted some updates on their Facebook page. Specifically, they noted that Disney has informed them that layoffs will take place in the following classifications starting November 1st:

Apprentice Electrician 5th Year
Area Mechanic Electrician
Area Mechanic Facility Industrial Technician
Area Ride Show Associate
Area Ride Show Tech
Electrician Area Projectionist
Electrical Facility Support Craftworker
Laundry Craft Support
Laundry System Mechanic
Laundry System Mechanic Jr.
Planned Work Specialist Electrician
Planned Work Specialist Electrician CR
Technical Support Craftworker

Custodial Cast Member and their incredible Water Art!

IBEW Local 606 noted, however, that they are in “continued negotiations with WDW at this time, and will be working to provide specific numbers for each classification.” They also warned that the impacted classifications can change at any time. IBEW Local 606 also posted an update to their website, indicating that they have met with Disney multiple times and will continue to do so until they have an agreement in place. They specified that Cast Members impacted by the layoffs, beginning November 1st, will receive approximately 8 weeks of pay in weekly installments based on hours expected to work under normal circumstances.