Walt Disney World and the union for its actors and singers reached an agreement on Wednesday that will allow them to return to work.
The union, which represents more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers nationwide, had been locked in a dispute with Disney over performer safety fore more than a month. Other unions, including those representing musicians, had previously signed memorandums with Disney agreeing to their safety protocols.
“We have been consistent that testing is an important part of ensuring a safe workplace for Equity performers, and today, I’m pleased to see that Disney World has agreed,” said Kate Shindle, President of Actors’ Equity Association. “With the news that Disney will make testing available for Equity performers and others in the park, I’m happy to announce that Equity’s executive committee has signed a memorandum of understanding with Disney for Equity performers to return.”
Actors’ Equity Association signed a memorandum of understanding allowing the actors, singers and stage managers to return to their jobs after Disney agreed to have a state-run drive-thru COVID-19 testing site for workers and others at the Florida theme park resort, according to the union, which represents 750 Disney World workers.