GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Upcoming layoffs by the Amway Hotel Corporation will affect employees at four downtown Grand Rapids hotels.
The layoffs will begin July 31, the company said, and will affect a total of 580 employees between the four hotels.
The Amway Grand Plaza Hotel will lay of 355 employees, the JW Marriott 144, the Courtyard by Marriott 50 and the AC Hotel 31.
Positions affected include everything from audio visual technicians and administrative assistants to restaurant staff.
The layoffs were made necessary by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the company said.
“While we have worked hard to avoid staff reductions, unfortunately, it has become unavoidable as we adapt to new business levels and staffing needs created by the virus,” said Richard Winn, president of AHC Hospitality. “We are sorry that we had to take this course of action, but remain hopeful that after these unprecedented times pass, we will be able to provide those employees laid off with the opportunity for gainful employment in the future."
The company expects the layoffs to be temporary, but doesn’t know when or if employees will be called back “given the unpredictable nature of the pandemic.”
None of the affected employees are represented by a labor union.
The company did call about 600 of its 1,200 furloughed employees back to work.