LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Negotiations between Walt Disney World and union leaders representing thousands of cast members (employees) are likely to stretch into next week as both sides craft an agreement on the company’s new mandatory vaccination requirement.

“UNITE HERE Local 737, along with the other 5 unions of the Services Trade Council, does not have an agreement in place with Disney regarding Disney’s vaccine mandate,” President Jeremy Haicken told Spectrum News in a statement. “We continue to negotiate with Disney. We are especially concerned that unionized workers with medical or religious concerns will be accommodated fairly.”

The six unions comprising the Services Trade Council represent only half of the total unions that represent a variety of Disney World’s 70,000 Central Florida cast members.

“UNITE HERE 737 has taken many steps to encourage our members to be vaccinated against COVID-19,” the union said in a statement. “The vaccines are safe and effective in preventing serious illness and death. We hope that all hospitality workers in Central Florida will get the vaccine as soon as possible. Any workers who feel unsure about the vaccine should make that decision with their own doctor.”

Last week, The Walt Disney Company announced all U.S. salaried and non-union employees company-wide must be vaccinated within 60 days.

“At The Walt Disney Company, the safety and well-being of our employees during the pandemic has been and continues to be a top priority,” Disney said in a statement to Spectrum News.

Disney said the decision was based on the latest recommendations from scientists, health officials and its own medical professionals.

Employees who are still working from home will need to provide proof of vaccination before returning to any Disney sites. The company will also requiring new hires to be vaccinated before starting.

Disney joined a number of local governments, including Orange County, and major corporations that are requiring employees to get vaccinated in order to maintain employment.

Disney’s vaccination requirement announcement came at the same it in restored indoor mask requirements at its theme parks amid re-surging COVID cases and hospitalizations in Florida.

Disney’s Full Statement Released July 30:

“At the Walt Disney Company, the safety and well-being of our employees during the pandemic has been and continues to be a top priority. Toward that end, and based on the latest recommendations of scientists, health officials and our own medical professionals that the COVID-19 vaccine provides the best protection against severe infection, we are requiring that all salaried and non-union hourly employees in the U.S. working at any of our sites be fully vaccinated. Employees who aren’t already vaccinated and are working on-site will have 60 days from today to complete their protocols and any employees still working from home will need to provide verification of vaccination prior to their return, with certain limited exceptions. We have also begun conversations around this topic with the unions representing our employees under collective bargaining agreements. In addition, all new hires will be required to be fully vaccinated before beginning employment. Vaccines are the best tool we all have to help control this global pandemic and protect our employees.”

Unite Here Local 737’s Full Statement Released August 5:

“UNITE HERE Local 737, along with the other 5 unions of the Services Trade Council, does not have an agreement in place with Disney regarding Disney’s vaccine mandate,” President Jeremy Haicken told Spectrum News in a statement. “We continue to negotiate with Disney. We are especially concerned that unionized workers with medical or religious concerns will be accommodated fairly.”

“UNITE Here 737 has taken many steps to encourage our members to be vaccinated against COVID-19,” Unite Here 737 said in a statement. “The vaccines are safe and effective in preventing serious illness and death. We hope that all hospitality workers in Central Florida will get the vaccine as soon as possible. Any workers who feel unsure about the vaccine should make that decision with their own doctor.”