Disney, Services Trade Council agree to require unionized cast members to be vaccinated

Disney and the Services Trade Council, the largest union representing cast members, have reached an agreement requiring unionized cast members to receive the COVID-19 vaccines by Oct. 22, 2021, with some exceptions.

Those who choose not to be vaccinated will be separated from the company. In July, The Walt Disney Co. announced U.S. salaried and non-union hourly employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Disney has been negotiating with unions since that announcement and now an agreement was reach.

The agreement was first reported by Greg Angel and Spectrum News.

A statement from the union reads as follows:

“Employees with medical conditions or sincerely held religious beliefs will be eligible to apply for an accommodation through a negotiated process.

“This process ensures prompt processing of requests for accommodation, weekly meetings between the Union and Company to address concerns as they arise, an explanation if any accommodation is denied, and access to the grievance procedure should there be a dispute on the accommodation request.

“Disney will make every effort to reasonably accommodate employees with a medical or religious accommodation need in their current role or classification. Cast Members who do not comply with the vaccine requirement and do not request a legitimate accommodation, will be separated from the Company with a “yes” rehire status.

“In addition to vaccines being readily available, Disney will be hosting on-site vaccine events over the next several weeks. Cast interested in getting vaccinated at work should go on the HUB for more information. Vaccines are safe, effective, and free. As of today, the Pfizer vaccine is FDA approved and is being offered by the Company. Getting vaccinated is the best way for workers to protect themselves from this deadly virus.”