More than 1,000 workers at Universal hotels laid off

ORLANDO, Fla. — Loews Hotels notified the state of Florida this week of plans to temporarily lay off or terminate the jobs of more than 1,000 employees at hotel facilities at Universal Orlando Resort.

Citing unexpected circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company says they’re laying off a total of 839 workers at the Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, and Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort.

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An additional 176 employees at a support facility will also be laid off.

The company says the temporary layoffs will remain in place indefinitely, but for a period that may exceed at least six months.

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None of the affected employees are represented by unions.

Cox Media Group