Disneyland-related

[Doug Millison]

Workers who play characters such as Mickey Mouse at Walt Disney World, in
Florida, have won the right to their own, clean undergarments.

Many of the characters have to wear Disney-issued jock straps, tights or
cycle shorts underneath their costumes because regular underwear bunches up
and is noticeable.

The workers complained that Disney was not cleaning the underwear properly
and a few caught pubic lice. The workers will now be assigned individual
undergarments, which they can take home each night to clean themselves.

Gary Steverson, a stilt walker at Animal Kingdom, said: "Things have been
passed around. I know I don't want to share my tights and I don't want to
share my underwear."

Each night, they turn in the undergarments with the rest of their costume
before going home. They then pick up a different set the next day.

Disney officials had told the workers that they use hot water to clean the
undergarments, but they apparently weren't doing so, said Mr Steverson, a
shop steward with the Teamsters union.

Some workers complained about receiving undergarments that were stained or
smelly. Mr Stevenson said there have been three cases of costumed workers at
the Magic Kingdom getting pubic lice or scabies during the past two years.

Disney spokeswoman Rena Callahan refused to comment on the new contract
provisions because "we don't conduct our negotiations with the media, only
at the negotiating table"

The costumed characters and other Disney workers will vote on the new
contract next week.


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