Disney to Pinkslip 4,000 Wednesday March 28, 2001

The Walt Disney Co., in a letter to its employees on Tuesday, said it will trim 4,000 jobs, or about 3 percent of its 120,000-strong global work force, in the face of a weakening economy. Burbank, Calif.-based Disney, owner of the Disney movie studio, ABC and ESPN television networks and theme parks around the world, expects to take one-time charges totaling less than $250 million spread across its fiscal third and fourth quarters to account for the job cuts, a spokesman said. He said Disney expects to save $350 million to $400 million annually from the job cuts. Disney hopes to trim its workforce first through voluntary reductions, but would move to mandatory layoffs, if needed.

-- Anonymous, March 28, 2001

Answers

Local news (Orlando) reported that Disney World is preparing to let go @1200 in the very near future. Disney World employs @ 50,000, and is the Orlando area's largest single employer. That means laying off about 2.4% of the local workforce. Not a huge percentage, but... The local news reported that most of this will come from early retirement (yeah, right) and from the custodial staff. If you are planning a Florida MickyLand trip this spring/summer, expect some rather tight smiles, and lotsa dirty tables.

Verdoctor

P.S. Will be taking my stepson there this weekend (we have an annual pass. I'll let y'all know if I notice any changes.

Andy N.T.A

-- Anonymous, March 29, 2001

(sigh…close parenthesis, please))

-- Anonymous, March 29, 2001