WHEREAS:

            The definition of family is no longer limited to husband, wife and children; and

WHEREAS:

Today's families often consist of single parents, gay and lesbian partners and their dependents, and two people sharing a household with their dependents; and

WHEREAS:

            Although single parents are typically offered the same benefits as other employees, the domestic partners of members and their dependents are often denied such benefits; and

WHEREAS:

            Many AFSCME locals and councils have been successful in negotiating various domestic partner benefits for their members.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

            That AFSCME locals and councils should bargain for the same health, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage for domestic partners and their dependents as those provided to members in traditional families; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

            That AFSCME locals and councils are encouraged to bargain for the right of members to use sick leave to care for domestic partners and their dependents as it is used by members in traditional family settings; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

            That AFSCME locals and councils are encouraged to bargain for the right of members to use funeral leave to attend the funerals of non-traditional family members on the same basis as members in traditional family settings; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:

            That AFSCME supports and calls for passage of legislation guaranteeing to domestic partners of public employees the same rights and privileges already guaranteed by law to spouses of public employees.

SUBMITTED BY

Tom Hennessy, Director and Delegate 
AFSCME Council 14 
Minnesota

KipuKai Kuali'i, President and Delegate
AFSCME Local 3339
California

Jeffrey S. Book, Delegate
AFSCME Local 3339 
California