4,000 Employees and Retirees Sue Disney for Health Benefits; Class Action Suit Proceeds on Behalf of Theme Park, Studio Plaintiffs.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 17, 1999--

Federal Judge Revives Once "Settled" Suit, Rejecting

Entertainment Giant's Objections to a Class of Retired, Elderly,

Disabled Workers Who Challenge Disney's Cost-Cutting Measures

A class action suit against the Walt Disney and, Disney World and Walt Disney Studios employees who were reduced, and in some cases eliminated, by Disney takes peanuts away from the laborer so that it can pay guys like (former Disney president Michael) Ovitz $91erans. The suit states that Disney declared in 1994 that workers would have to wait until age 65 to collect medical benefits, instead of age 62 as originally promised. Thployees, who had retired after many years of service, and one long-term employee who still works for the company. Settlement talks initially resulted in an agreement in p"Under our settlement, Disney had agreed to provide the benefits to retirees for life, and further agreed to reduce the premiums it charges retirees on Medicare by 90%, a with Dolly Gee at Schwartz, Steinsapir, Dohrmann & Sommers LLP in Los Angeles, and Daniel P. McIntyre of Mi Hatter has now ruled that the lawsuit is an appropriate class action.

"We are very gratified with the judge's decision," said plaintiff Robert T. Carbines, a retired maintenance foreman who spent 32 years at Disneyland keeping the Autopia rides on track. "I took early retirement because of Disney's offer (for free health care). I then jo3.