Disney notes: Workers returning soon, but not Disney College Program / NBA return plan approved

Portions of Disney World’s unionized workforce are being told to prepare to return to work, according to social media posts from union leaders.

Unite Here Local 737 posted a chart on its Facebook listing hotels where housekeeping and dining employees are being called to return to work on June 14. The hotels included on the list were: Animal Kingdom Lodge, Boardwalk, Contemporary, Fort Wilderness, Grand Floridian, Old Key West, Polynesian, Riviera, Saratoga Springs, Wilderness Lodge and Yacht & Beach Club resorts at Disney World.

The Orlando Sentinel reported that about 8,000 workers from Unite Here Local 362 — which represents attractions, custodial, and vacation planning workers at Disney World — could go back to work beginning in June. Some union members could be transferred to other jobs where shortages exist, since a key component of Disney’s workforce is likely to be absent for some time.

“If anyone thinks that college program workers are coming back anytime soon, they are mistaken,” Local 362 president Eric Clinton told the Sentinel.

One major shift upon reopening will be the workforce in Epcot. Pavilions are typically staffed with cultural representatives from the countries included in World Showcase, but those employees were sent home soon after Disney World closed in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a Q&A session with union members that was posted on Facebook, Clinton said those positions would be filled by regular cast members when Epcot reopens on July 15.

“World Showcase attractions will be fully staffed by domestic attraction workers,” he said.

The Disney Careers website currently has applications open for three cultural representative programs: Germany and Norway, with positions starting between August and November, along with Mexico, with start dates between January and June 2021.

NBA makes Disney World plan official

After months of rumors, NBA owners have agreed to restart the league’s stalled season at Disney World.

After players return to their home markets, undergo COVID-19 testing and complete a short training camp, 22 of the league’s teams will travel to Disney World.

The format will include the 16 teams in the Eastern and Western conferences that currently hold playoff spots, along with six additional teams that are within six games of a playoff spot. Each of these teams will play eight regular season games beginning July 31 to determine seeding for the playoffs along with a possible play-in tournament for the eighth seeds.

Games will be held in arenas at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, while players and team personnel will be housed in Disney hotels.

According to ESPN — which is owned by The Walt Disney Company — NBA personnel will be tested on a daily basis. Any player that tests positive for COVID-19 will be immediately quarantined. Disney hotel employees will not be allowed into players’ rooms as a safety precaution, ESPN reported.

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