Recent reports from Orlando Weekly reveal a concerning incident at Disney World where two performers fainted due to extreme heat. Denys Ortega, a business agent for Teamsters Local 385, shared that the performers, part of the “Beauty & the Beast” show at Hollywood Studios, fainted the weekend before last. The air conditioning system in a room used by performers before they enter the outdoor stage had been malfunctioning.
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One performer, who plays the Beast and is represented by the Teamsters, and another performer represented by Actors Equity, experienced the effects of the heat firsthand. Ortega mentioned that despite multiple complaints, it took several days for Disney to address the issue. “Now that two people passed out, now — today — it was fixed,” Ortega told Orlando Weekly last Wednesday, “which is something that could have been prevented.”
Ortega reassured that the Beast actor is fine, but after fainting, he understandably refused to continue his shift. Although he received permission to go home, the hours he missed were unpaid.
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Safety Concerns and Union Protections
At Disney World, over 40,000 employees are covered by union contracts that ensure safety protections, including the right to refuse dangerous work and access to safety education. The current contract, finalized last year, includes clauses that guarantee employees will not be forced to perform work posing imminent danger and that they will have access to refillable water bottles, sunscreen, and electrolytes upon request.
Despite these protections, Walt Howard, President of Teamsters Local 385, noted that Disney often only complies with safety measures when pressured. He highlighted that characters, particularly those in heavy costumes, are “suffering” due to inadequate breaks and cooling measures, especially in heat indices exceeding 100 degrees.
The Walt Disney Company did not respond to Orlando Weekly’s request for comment on these concerns ahead of publication.
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