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Workers Table Petition for Gay Reform

By Deirdre Mahoney

Two union members took the witness stand with Labor Council secretary Michael Costa this week, armed with a petition of 2200 signatures to persuade an Upper House Committee of the need for gay law reform.

The Standing Committee on Social Issues, led by Labor MLC Jan Burnswoods, is inquiring into whether all NSW laws should be changed so that wherever "de facto" appears, the definition will include same-sex, as well as opposite sex, partners.

This would clear up confusion over matters like work entitlements and leave, and would hopefully lead to reform on superannuation. Even the Anti-Discrimination Act, which bans discrimination on the basis of homosexuality, doesn't define same-sex relationships within "marital status". This means that cases where same-sex partners who work in the same workplace ask to be rostered onto a married shift, as in the case of two Qantas stewards a few years ago who wanted to be posted on overseas runs together so they could see each other, but were refused because they weren't seen as married, are strictly legal because the phrasing of the law neglects to protect the employee.

The witnesses stressed the insidious nature of the discrimination. The male union member told the committee how his promotions had suddenly dried up when he began bringing his partner to work functions. The fact that this was due to homophobia and not work performance was obvious because he continued receiving bonuses of $4000-$5000 each year.

The woman told of new colleagues being warned against associating with her, because "it wouldn't be good for their careers for them to be seen talking to me". Both had been left out of functions like morning teas and lunches, and their sexuality had been discussed by others while they were absent.

But the male rep told stories of hope as well. When a former Cardinal of Sydney forbade any Sydney Catholic priest from giving communion to gay and lesbian parishioners, a priest flew in weekly from Goulburn. The union rep and his partner of 21 years had their relationship blessed by a Catholic priest more than 20 years ago.

The Government recently passed the Property (Relationships) Legislation Amendment Bill 1999, which clears up a limited number of issues, mainly in relation to property.

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  Issue 25 contents

»	Unions Embrace Open Shop
»	Council Sets Benchmarks for Vizard Deal
»	Steggles Treats Workers Like Chooks
»	Rail Workers on Collision Course with Carr
»	Reith Shamed Into Talk On Entitlement Fund
»	Unionists Asked to Defer NRMA Vote
»	Fire Fighters Use Net
»	Crew of Convenience Behind Sydney Oil Spill?
»	Sixty Junkets Join Currawong Hit Squad
»	Workers Table Petition for Gay Reform
»	Indonesian Trade Union Leaders to Visit Australia
»	International And Community Groups Oppose Reith�s Bill

»	Guest Report
»	Sport
»	Trades Hall
»	Piers Watch

»	Country Labor Asks Question
»	The Ombudsman Replies
»	Confessions of a German Call Centre Agent
»	WorkCover Off the Track

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