The union representing hospitality workers said Wednesday that the Chateau Marmont hotel — a Hollywood institution long associated with celebrities and celebrity excess — has let go almost its entire workforce, citing the coronavirus pandemic.
According to Unite Here Local 11, Chateau Marmont employees were informed on March 19 that they were being terminated due to the economic impact of the coronavirus shutdown. The employees did not receive severance payments and their insurance was not extended, Local 11 said.
“The hotel also did not commit to recalling workers according to seniority when the crisis subsides,” Local 11 said in a statement Wednesday night.
The number of affected Chateau Marmont staff is not currently known.
In a statement provided to TheWrap, representatives for the hotel said, “Chateau Marmont is covering health insurance for employees until March 31st. After that date, employees are eligible to enroll in COBRA. The company is in the process of launching initiatives that will aid a fund which will help support employees in this time of need.”
In its statement Wednesday, Local 11 said it is lobbying the Los Angeles city council to enact policies to protect hospitality workers’ jobs
The report of layoffs at Chateau Marmont come amid a wave of cost-cutting across Hollywood as the pandemic continues and people throughout the state remain largely under orders to stay home.
As of late Wednesday, California had reported more than 3,100 cases of COVID-19 and 67 deaths.