Actors to Return to Walt Disney World After Company Offers This

Walt Disney World actors are returning to work according to a union statement from the Actors’ Equity Association announced this week.

The actors who had originally objected to Walt Disney’s proposed coronavirus safeguards at the Florida theme park, have now reached an agreement for them to return to work.

It was on July 11th that the theme park reopened with several safety measures that include limited attendance, social distancing in lines and on rides, and mask requirements for guests and staff.

The Actors’ Equity Association, which represents roughly 750 stage performers at the Disney park, said Disney has now committed to providing Covid-19 tests at the theme park for its members, who cannot wear protective masks while performing as other employees do.

The union publicly said the measures did not go far enough to protect its members and called for regular testing. Disney then decided to open the theme park without those performers.

“I’m happy to announce that Equity’s executive committee has signed a memorandum of understanding with Disney for Equity performers to return,” Kate Shindle, president of the Actors’ Equity Association, said in a statement.

Earlier this month Disney reported mixed earnings for its third quarter of 2020, revealing a $3.5 billion hit to its operating income from parks being closed during the quarter.

The company’s parks and studio entertainment segments suffered the most during the quarter as the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns restricted travel and production.

Revenue for the Parks, Experiences and Products segment, which includes cruises, resorts and merchandise, fell 85% to below $1 billion during the quarter.

Disney also said it now has 100 million paid subscribers across its streaming offerings, more than half of which are subscribers to Disney+.

Disclaimer: We have no position in Walt Disney Co (NYSE: DIS) and have not been compensated for this article.