Disney Service Cast Receive COVID Benefits Extension
Earlier this week, many Disney Parks employees in service roles received extension to a range of benefits provided by the company due to ongoing challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic. Christie Sutherland, Director Labor Relations for Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, informed Matt Hollis, president of the Services Trades Council Union, of the change in a letter dated October 4th.
Image Credit: Orlando Hotel and Restaurant Workers Movement
For employees represented by the union, the pay benefits and incentives previously offered now continue well into the new year with an ending date now of January 31, 2022.
If a service cast member in the union receives a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 or must quarantine due to an exposure in their worksite, the cast member can receive two weeks of pay for the missed shift (or 80 hours of pay).
Furthermore, cast members in the service-based union also receive four hours of pay for being fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. All salaried staff needed to be vaccinated by the end of last month, and staff in the Services Trade Council Union must be vaccianted by October 22nd.
Cast Returning to the Disney Parks
The Walt Disney World Resort continues to recall staff members impacted by the coronavirus shutdown with many entertainment personnel returning recently. Performers in EPCOT’s World Showcase returned on October 1st to kick off “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.”
Other entertainment cast members will also rejoin the resort community in November based on this week’s exciting announcement regarding the return of character meet-and-greets throughout the parks beginning next month.
With all of the happenings around the 50th anniversary celebration and the return of socially distanced character interactions, Disney parks appear poised for an exciting and magical holiday season. Demand for resort reservations and park availability continues to climb as this year’s Thanksgiving and Christmas festivities rapidly approach on the calendar.
