WDW not the 'Happiest Place on Earth' for Some Disney Performers

When three Walt Disney World performers complained that their "Lion King" character costumes were too dirty to wear for their upcoming performance they were fired last summer, but an arbitrator has now ordered their reinstatement with back pay.  

Doug Biederman, Drew Pearson and Matthew Warfield refused to wear soiled spandex unitards for their live-action musical performance of "The Festival of the Lion King" at the Animal Kingdom and as a result Disney terminated them without cause. However, an arbitrator ruled on April 27 that under the collective bargaining agreement the three performers were guaranteed clean costumes and they were improperly let go.  

The 'clean costume' provision had been added to the collective bargaining agreement more than a decade earlier after several employees complained about Disney character costumes causing ringworm, scabies, skin rashes and myriad infections. The three performers will perform again in May wearing clean costumes. "I'm ecstatic and beyond grateful for all the support and help from everyone. I get to come home to a job and career that I love!" exclaimed Doug Biederman.  Teamster official Donna-Lynne Dalton who represented the three echoed Mr. Biederman's enthusiasm adding, "We are thrilled to get these talented performers back to work." Employers of all sorts are reminded to check any relevant collective bargaining agreement (or apply some common sense) before responding to any employee's concern about unsanitary costumes or uniforms provided to them since the unwanted publicity is likely to cost them far more than the dry cleaning tab to keep the wearables clean.  

With questions regarding these legal issues, contact your Hinshaw employment attorney.