Disney closes COVID-19 vaccine deal with more than 30,000 unionized workers

Disney, the Service Trades Council Union and the Actors Equity Association have reached an agreement on mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for more than 30,000 union workers at the entertainment giant at its Florida theme parks.

“We value communication and collaboration with union representatives as we put the safety of our Cast Members at the forefront of our health and safety protocols. declaration.

Disney previously announced that salaried and non-union employees should be fully immunized by September 28 and provide proof of vaccination to enter company offices. All new hires in the company will also need to be fully immunized before starting work.

Discussions with other Disney unions are ongoing.

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According to a memorandum of understanding, Walt Disney World actors represented by the STCU must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination by October 22. Employees seeking medical or religious accommodation will be eligible to apply through a negotiated process.

“This process ensures prompt processing of accommodation requests, weekly union-company meetings to address concerns as they arise, an explanation if an accommodation is denied and access to grievance procedure in the event of a dispute over the accommodation request, ”the union said in a statement posted on Twitter on Monday. “Disney will do everything possible to reasonably accommodate employees with a medical or religious accommodation need in their current role or classification.”

Requests for medical accommodation must be accompanied by a note from the employee’s caregiver confirming the existence of a disability or medical condition, the duration and resulting limitations, and information on the how these limitations prevent the employee from being vaccinated against COVID-19. With respect to religious accommodations, the employee will be expected to explain the nature of the religious belief, practice or observance and how it prevents the employee from being vaccinated against COVID-19.

The STCU points out that Disney reserves the right to discuss accommodation requests with the employee’s physician if the documentation provided is not sufficient or the spiritual leader of their religion or another third party who is aware of the belief. , religious practice or observation of the employee.

Disney union employees who do not comply with vaccination requirements and do not request legitimate housing will be separated from the company with a “yes” rehire status.

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Details of the deal with the Actors Equity Association were not disclosed. An AEA spokesperson did not immediately return FOX Business’s request for comment.

The announcement coincides with full approval of Pfizer and BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine by the Food and Drug Administration for people 16 years of age and older. In addition to readily available COVID-19 vaccines, the union says Disney will be hosting on-site vaccination events over the coming weeks.

According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 171.1 million Americans, or 62.5% of American adults, are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to date while approximately 201.7 million Americans, or 73.1% of American adults, received at least one dose.