Disney’s Housekeeping and Food & Beverage Cast Members Get Raises

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

Big news for several Disney Cast Members, as the Local 737, the Union of hotel & restaurant workers at Disney, took to Facebook to share the news of raises arriving for Cast Members.

As shared on the Orlando Hotel and Restaurant Workers Movement Facebook page:

“Update for Local 737 Disney Workers! RAISES ARE TODAY: October 4! $16 minimum for Housekeeping. $14 minimum for most Food & Beverage workers. The raises apply to the almost 9,000 Housekeeping and Food & Beverage workers who are back at work. If you are still on furlough, you will get the raise whenever you are called back to work. The raises for Tipped workers are on December 27, but you will get the October 4 raise whenever you take paid time off. We fought hard for these raises back in 2017 and 2018. At a time of economic crisis when many non-union companies are freezing and cutting their workers’ pay, our Union contract protects us! WHAT ABOUT LAYOFFS? All 6 Unions of the Service Trades Council continue to talk with Disney about their announcement. How many full-time and part-time Cast Members will be affected, how long health insurance and recall rights will continue and many other issues crucial to Cast Members are on the table. As soon as more information becomes available, we will notify our members.”

For more details, visit Orlando Hotel and Restaurant Workers Movement Facebook page.

Minnie Van Service Retired at Walt Disney World

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Via wdwnt.com

In the wake of mass layoff announcements, it has been confirmed that all Minnie Van Cast Members were among those terminated at Walt Disney World. Despite early talks of the service’s demise ultimately brought on by the pandemic, Disney initially squashed rumors by including Minnie Vans in a resort transportation update that mentioned guests should “stay tuned” for return dates. There were no plans at that time to bring the service back, and the vehicles were already gone from the property.

It has been a tumultuous existence for the Minnie Van service at Walt Disney World, a point-to-point transportation option owned and operated by Disney that launched back in 2017. A pet-project of now-CEO Bob Chapek, Minnie Vans were Disney’s response to many of their guests choosing not to use the provided, complimentary (and honestly, often unreliable) transportation options Disney provides their guests and instead booking a Uber, Lyft, or similar transportation method to get around The Vacation Kingdom of the World. Minnie Vans were deemed overpriced by most guests, and they were also hard to get when you actually wanted them, like around park opening and closing times. After years of hemorrhaging money, Cast Members already believed the service was soon being brought to an end.

The Minnie Van fleet was leased through an agreement with Disney corporate partner Chevrolet, but it’s likely they were returned as these vehicles are no longer seen anywhere on property.

Walt Disney World Layoffs Include 6,700 Non-Union Employees

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Disney Parks announced the layoffs of 28,000 domestic employees. We have learned now that roughly 6,700 Walt Disney World non-union employees are losing their jobs.

As shared by OrlandoSentinel: About 6,700 Walt Disney World non-union employees are losing their jobs because of the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, according to an alert the Walt Disney Co. sent to the state. The layoffs will begin Dec. 4.

In all, Disney plans to lay off a total of 28,000 U.S. employees in a business division that includes theme parks, Imagineering and Disney Cruise Line.

“Due to the continuing business impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have made the very difficult decision to reduce our workforce,” wrote Jim Bowden, Disney Vice President of employee relations, in a letter to the state that did not break down which positions would be affected.

“It will take time for all of us to process this information and its impact. We will be scheduling appointments with our affected salaried and non-union hourly employees over the next few days. Additionally, today we will begin the process of discussing next steps with unions,” D’Amaro wrote in a letter to employees Tuesday.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Entertainers Among Disney Layoffs

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Resorts

A sad week on the news front for numerous Disney Cast Members as Disney is laying off 28,000 domestic employees. Unfortunately, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort entertainers are among the Disney layoffs.

As shared on the Tikiman’s Unofficial Polynesian Resort Pages: “I had to reuse this graphic made by Joshua L Harris today after many of the Cast Members were told they won’t be back, including the entertainers at the resort.”

The page also posted the following picture with: “Let’s hope this even comes back.”

Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show has been a Disney fan favorite for years at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Disney’s Polynesian Resort remains closed (outside of the Disney Vacation Club portion) until Summer 2021.

Grand Floridian Society Orchestra Shares Last Photo at Disney’s Grand Floridian

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Resorts

The Grand Floridian Society Orchestra announced they will be ending their days at Walt Disney World as of October 3.

Grand Floridian Society Orchestra has released another statement on their Facebook page:

“We are truly overwhelmed, very grateful and humbled at the massive number of heartfelt comments and sentiments you all have shared. We heard that someone started a petition to bring us back and there are over 1800 signatures on it so far. We can’t thank you all enough for showing your love and support… Unbelievable! Thank you so much! We need to clarify… our last day of performances, October 3rd, will be at the Theater of the Stars at Hollywood Studios… NOT the Grand Floridian. We have not played at the Grand Floridian since March 18th! For those of you asking… we do have CDs available. Please message us for details. We have so many great memories of our time at the Grand Floridian… our thanks to you all!”

Another post was shared on their Facebook page stating: “This is our last photo as GFSO members (both bands) at our last location at the Grand Floridian. (7/26/20). Front row L to R: Herb Bruce, Bobby Pickwood, Gene Hunn, Chris Queenan, Greg Parnell. Back row L to R: John Katalenic, Harold Johnson, Paul Parker, David Jones, Doug Mathews, Rex Wertz.”