ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A local Disney union is ramping up efforts to get hospitality workers vaccinated.
Members of Unite Here 362 were in front of the Walt Disney sign on Friday, hoping to gain attention for their cause.
The union represents cast members you’ve seen whenever you visit places like Magic Kingdom.
Members of @UNITEHERE_CFL are calling on @GovRonDeSantis to allow them to get the #COVID19 vaccine. They say @WaltDisneyWorld is being safe, but if hospitality is essential to Florida’s economy then workers should be essential. @WFTV pic.twitter.com/cr8bV1WE2W
— Cierra Putman WFTV (@CPutman_WFTV) March 19, 2021
More than a dozen Disney cast members gathered to call on the governor to give them the vaccine.
They say if hospitality is essential to Florida’s economy, then all hospitality workers are essential and should get the vaccine.
“I work in extremely close quarters with a lot of guests, constantly telling people to put their mask on, and it’s terrifying,” cast member Kinsey Doerr, 26, said. “After losing my grandma a few months ago to COVID-19, I don’t want to risk anymore of my family members.”
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Doerr said she worries if she brings the disease home, she’ll put her sisters at risk, too.
“She has a 10% higher chance of dying from this,” Doerr said.
The union is encouraging members to call Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office.
READ: Looking back: Walt Disney World shuts down a year ago today, impacting Central Florida economy
The governor has said he’s done opening the vaccine up by occupation, and is sticking with his seniors-first pitch.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said earlier this week that he has asked for hospitality workers to be prioritized, but he didn’t specify whether that included theme park employees.
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