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Universal Orlando Announces Extended Furloughs For 5,400 Workers

WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7 | By Brendan Byrne

Published September 16, 2020 at 5:50 PM EDT

Spread out crowds of people wearing masks standing in front of Hogwarts Castle at Universal Orlando Resort. — Parkgoers wearing masks did their best to keep safe distance during a preview day for annual passholders at Universal Orlando Resort.

Nearly 5,400 Universal Orlando workers will go on extended furlough as the theme park struggles with the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The workers were originally notified of the furlough back in May, but in a letter to county and state leaders Universal Orlando said the furlough will extend at least 6 months.

Universal Orlando said it doesn’t expect the furloughs to be permanent but did warn it could take until next year to recover from the economic loss.

SeaWorld filed a similar letter with the state, which is required by federal law, alerting leaders of a mass layoff of some 1,900 workers who were furloughed since March.