Union denies benefits to gay couples

Boston Globe ^ | 5/11/04 | Donovan Slack

[kattracks]

A Boston labor union representing some 6,000 members has amended its benefit plans to exclude gay married couples from receiving health and pension benefits, evoking fear in some labor unions in Massachusetts that the move will set a dangerous precedent for other unions and employers throughout the state.

Anticipating the legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts next week, trustees and administrators of the benefit plans of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 103 issued a clarification of the phrase "dependent spouse" to mean "a person of the opposite sex." The clarification was announced in a letter, a copy of which was obtained by the Globe, sent Friday to union members throughout Eastern Massachusetts.

"In light of all the changes that are coming, we just wanted to be ahead of the curve and make the clarification," administrator Russell F. Sheehan said in an interview yesterday.

[hoosierboy]

Big deal this is the IBEW, now if the interior decorators union says no benefits, then I would be shocked.

[kidd]

Can the D's survive their internal contradictions?

No. At the moment, they do not have a message. They can only sell themselves as being anti-Bush: there's no reason to vote for them, so they invent reasons not to vote for Bush.

Their best hope is to make new supporters by underhanded means. Thus, they support illegal immigrants. They discourage ideological diversity in academics to the point of brainwashing our youth.

[Ronly Bonly Jones]

This is the first shot of the REAL war: will you, (say) Christian employer, be forced by the state to pay for an employee's HIV positive ill spouse's medical bennies?

[oceanperch]

If that's the case ER visits will be up retrieving wicked and waxed rectums.

[John Lenin]

Guess this means hugh protests at the DNC convention.

[Sam the Sham]

All companies have the choice of the benefit packages they offer. But if gay marriage is legalized and employers MUST treat it equally, then the only recourse is to raise the cost of spousal coverage across the board.

[little jeremiah]

Homosexual Agenda Ping - Unbelievable, UNIONS denying "gay marriage" benefits???

Money talks.

Let me know if anyone wants on/off this pinglist.

[joyce11111]

I can hardly believe that YIPPEE

[Luircin]

Ah, and another wedge issue. Huzzah! Here's hoping that they go for the unions.

Eww... I can't believe I just said that.

[little jeremiah]

No joking allowed on FR - didn't you see the rule book???

Humor is as necessary as salt. If a person can't laugh, they're hopeless!