[ad_1]
In an unprecedented move, Walt Disney Co. is demanding that a large portion of its U.S. workforce be vaccinated against COVID-19. Its new policy could potentially be extended to cover tens of thousands of unionized workers at Disney theme parks, including Anaheim and Orlando.
The sweeping move, announced on Friday, comes amid an increase in cases caused by the Delta variant, which has prompted public health officials to issue new warnings and big business executives to reassess their rules at the venue. work in the event of a pandemic.
“At Walt Disney Co., the safety and well-being of our employees during the pandemic has been and continues to be a top priority,” the company said in a statement outlining its mandate that “all salaried hourly employees and non-union members in the United States working at any of our sites be fully immunized.
The Burbank entertainment giant said it has started negotiations with union officials representing employees in its bargaining unit. The company’s goal is to extend the vaccination policy to cover these employees, which include many employees of its theme parks and some members of the film and television production teams.
The strictest policy is “based on the latest recommendations from scientists, health officials and our own health professionals that the COVID-19 vaccine offers the best protection against serious infections,” Disney said in the report. communicated.
Disney employs more than 200,000 people worldwide.
The move comes after other large companies, including Google, Facebook, Netflix and Morgan Stanley, issued vaccination warrants for employees. President Biden announced this week that 2 million people who work for the federal government should get vaccinated or they should wear masks and get tested regularly for the virus.
Los Angeles has a similar policy in place, requiring city employees to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or undergo weekly swabs to show they have tested negative for the coronavirus.
Earlier this week, Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood and other theme parks said they will require guests to wear masks in all indoor environments, regardless of vaccination status.
Disney is looking to avoid a repeat of last year when the company’s operations were hammered on due to coronavirus-related closures. In March 2020, the company was forced to close its theme parks and suspend TV and film production. His ESPN empire has struggled with the lack of live sporting events to broadcast and discuss.
The state has refused to let Disneyland, California Adventure and other company theme parks reopen until the end of April – after being closed for an unprecedented 13 months.
Vaccinations will also be required for all new Disney employees.
“Employees who are not already vaccinated and who are working on-site will have 60 days from today to complete their protocols and all employees still working from home will be required to provide a vaccination check prior to their return, with some exceptions. near. Said in the statement. “Vaccines are the best tool we all have to help control this global pandemic and protect our employees. “
[ad_2]
Source link