SeaWorld Entertainment is seeking a loan from a federal program meant to help businesses retain workers during pandemic-related shutdowns, but labor group says the theme park company is undeserving because it furloughed 95% of its employees.
SeaWorld — which operates a dozen SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Sesame Place parks around the U.S. — said late last month that it was actively trying to get assistance from the Federal Reserve's Main Street Lending Program. The program offers four-year loans to medium-sized businesses with principal and interest payments deferred for a year.
Officials with Unite Here! Local 355 in Orlando this week said SeaWorld shouldn't receive any taxpayer-funded benefits until the company puts the furloughed workers back on its payroll and restores their health benefits. Who agrees?