The Michigan Civil Service Commission voted today to honor agreements that will extend benefits to same sex partners of most state employees. Unions representing 70% of state employees were impacted by today's decision.
Detroit News excerpt:
Health benefits for same-sex partners were negotiated shortly before Michigan voters approved a 2004 ballot initiative that defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
In 2008, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled the ballot initiative banned public benefits for same-sex partners.
As a result, officials reworked agreements to scrap references to same-sex benefits and instead extended benefits to "other eligible individuals" — an unrelated housemate, limited to one per household. That's the form of agreement the commission approved today.
Detroit News Story
Supporters of equal rights in Michigan face some difficult circumstances. Michigan voters passed a ban on gay marriage and civil unions several years ago. And the newly-minted Republican governor, state senate and state house are not likely to offer much of value for progressives on this issue.
However, this decision does show that committed advocates, unions and others can successfully work the system for positive gain. Congratulations to the unions for steadfast commitment to equal employee rights.