1900 laid off as Disney slashes jobs

Leah Zanolla | Posted: Apr 5, 2009 | Updated: Oct 19, 2014 - 9:25:27 AM

When Disney said it was offering a buy-out to 600 executives in an effort to cut costs earlier this year, they didn't mention that was just the beginning.

Of those 600 executives, only 50 took the package. The 1900 others that have been laid off in recent weeks were not offered a 'golden parachute'. Focused mostly in back office and theme park management, the cuts are the latest round of efforts Disney is undertaking to battle a worsening economy.

Laid off cast members are being given 1 weeks pay for every 1 year of service - up to 6 weeks. They are also receiving extended health insurance benefits as well as job placement assistance. In turn, the company has told them they could be recalled at any time in the next 60 days should park operations require it.

So far the lay offs have only affected salaried lower and middle management positions. No union jobs have been affected by the cuts.