Friday, August 23, 2002
Youngstown State University cuts health coverage for domestic partners
A story published today by the Tribune Chronicle reports that the Youngstown State University faculty union approved a new three-year contract Thursday. University trustees are expected to vote on the contract this afternoon.
YSU-Ohio Education Association officials said 211 of the union's 350 members voted, approving the deal by a vote of 192 to 19. The union's previous contract expired Wednesday, and members had filed an intent to strike Monday, the first day of the fall semester.
President John Russo said benefits for domestic partners, not salaries, were the real sticking point in contract talks. Under the new contract, domestic partners were added to the definition of ''immediate family'' for purposes of faculty sick leave or time due under the Family Medical Leave Act.
The union also had sought health coverage for domestic partners, but was not included in the new deal.
Although a majority of the nine-member Board of Trustees approved the tentative agreement with the faculty earlier this week, Chairman Joseph S. Nohra and trustee F.W. ''Bill'' Knecht III both voted against it, citing moral and religious opposition to benefits for domestic partners.
A domestic partner is defined under the contract as a someone with which there has been a committed, ongoing, domestic relationship that has existed for at least the preceding 12 continuous months. It can apply to either same-sex or opposite sex partners.
