Social Security, union clash over sexual orientation contract provisions

09/24/2004 Update: Bid Dropped To Remove Protections For Gay Workers

Social Security Administration officials are trying to remove language protecting employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation from the agency's labor contract, union leaders claim.

During negotiations on renewing the contract, SSA officials proposed eliminating a clause that allows gay, lesbian and bisexual workers to file discrimination grievances, said Witold Skwierczynski, president of the American Federation of Government Employees Council 220. [...]

SSA "does not and will not discriminate against employees for any reason," said Mark Lassiter, a spokesman. He declined to comment on the ongoing negotiations.

But union officials see the agency's attempt to revoke the protections as a move to reverse a longstanding antidiscrimination policy. "This administration is now attempting to permit discrimination against lesbians, gays and bisexuals by removing protections from union contracts," said Andrea Brooks, AFGE's national vice president for women's and fair practices. (source)