WHEREAS:

Employer provided health care coverage provides an important element of any benefit package; and

WHEREAS:

Employers should not have the right to discriminate on the basis of marital status; and

WHEREAS:

Lesbian and gay Americans face a legal impediment to marriage; and

WHEREAS:

The United States government has not enacted legislation to create universal access to health insurance; and

WHEREAS:

Some corporations and governmental bodies offer medical, sick, and/or family leave to care for unmarried partners; and

WHEREAS:

The AFSCME International Executive Board submitted a domestic partner-benefit resolution to the AFL-CIO; and

WHEREAS:

It is the experience of jurisdictions having these benefits that their health costs have not increased as a result of such expanded coverage; and

WHEREAS:

Consumers United Insurance Company concluded that "smoking and exercise are better predictors of who will file claims than are sexual orientation or marital status."

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME encourage its local unions to negotiate domestic partner benefits, including health insurance benefits, sick leave, and family leave, in its collective bargaining agreements, and seek through legislation the provision of these benefits.

SUBMITTED BY:

Barry Friedman, President
Jane Fitzgerald, Secretary
AFSCME Local 2081, Council 31
Illinois