Disneyland Workforce Reaches 19,000 With Unions Pulling For More Rehires
The famed Walt Disney park in California has reopened and returned to some semblance of normalcy recently, as the Disneyland Workforce reaches 19,000, however, unions are expecting the rehiring of more furloughed or laid off castmembers.
The Disney Theme park in Anaheim has reinstated three-fifths of its entire workforce since the park returned from Coronavirus-based closures for much of the last two years.
Image: Disneyland
The OCR reported, from information found in the most recent MouseMail newsletter that the Disneyland Resorts 19,000 Cast Members is just the beginning of their plan of reinstatement; as they are currently in the process of returning many more furloughed and laid off Cast Members to work.
The Disney newsletter specifically stated to readers, “The Disneyland resort is proud to have returned more than 19,000 Cast Members and is rapidly hiring hundreds more each week.”
A Cast Members sends love to a Guest at Walt Disney World
Photo: Disney
The 19,000 currently working at Disney land eclipses the 15,000 reported by ocregister.com in June of this year; which is about half of the 32,000 employed by Disneyland prior to 2020’s COVID-19 pandemic.
The park’s phased reopening plan means that almost 40% of the still furloughed or laid-off Cast Members should return to work as new attractions and restaurants continue to open again.
Disney officials announced their intention to re-hire 85% of the furloughed cast, while also noting those furloughed were still receiving health care benefits during the trying times of the pandemic.
Disneyland Resort and Disneyland California Adventures both saw an April 30th reopening that followed 412 days of closure for the park, due to COVID-19 related precautions.
Magic returns to Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. Guests can once again experience unforgettable attractions, see beloved Disney friends, shop for the latest merchandise, savor the world-famous food and drinks and cherish special magical moments at both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. For the most current information, guests should visit Disneyland.com often. (Richard Harbaugh/Disneyland Resort)
The Coalition of Resort Labor Unions now represents 17,000 Disney Cast Members; a number that is down from their 28,000 prior to the events of the pandemic.
A rally held Thursday, August 5th gave Disney union members a voice as they called for Disney to not only work harder to reinstate furloughed cast for which Disney officials stated as the “priority”; but to also raise pay to compensate these workers appropriately following an incredibly difficult year.
An example of Disney’s need to continue reinstatement is the lack of overnight and graveyard shift employees.
The lack of employees working overnight means that many day shift employees are being tasked with these tasks, such as deep cleaning bathrooms.
Credit: Disney
This shows that the need for employees is present, and the employees have made their desire for work known; which leaves the timetable for return squarely on Disneyland Resort and California Adventure.
One can only hope that continued reinstatement and rehiring continues for these employees. With the Disneyland Workforce reaching 19,000; Unions will hopefully successful get more returning Cast Members soon.
