Unions File To Overturn Prop 8

A coalition of more than 50 labor unions representing over two million workers has filed an amicus brief with the state of California calling for the overturn of Proposition 8.

In their amicus brief, the unions argue that Proposition 8 would amend discrimination into the state constitution and divide Californians into "suspect classifications." "It really does establish the potential for a slippery slope of taking away the rights of one group and then potentially the rights of another group and another group," Art Pulaski, executive secretary-treasurer of the California Labor Federation, said during a teleconference with reporters.

Joining in the brief were the Service Employees International Union State Council, the California Federation of Teachers, the California Nurses Association, the California Faculty Association, UNITE HERE! and the Screen Actors Guild. Combined, the labor organizations claim 2 million members. Sal Rosselli, president of the United Healthcare Workers union, noted that unions and gay rights advocates worked together in the 1970s to defeat the Briggs Initiative, which would have banned gays from working in California's public schools, and to boycott Coors beer for anti-labor policies.

"We in labor unions have an obligation to support all our members," said Rosselli, a longtime gay rights advocate. "We have many gay members who want to marry same-sex partners." Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California and a member of the No on 8 campaign committee, called the court filing "a very significant brief." "We believe that the leadership of labor in this brief is going to have a tremendous impact," Kors said.

But Andrew Pugno, an attorney for the Yes on 8 campaign, played down the importance of the unions' court action. He noted that many union members voted for Proposition 8. "There will probably be many, many friend-of-the-court briefs filed by many political organizations," Pugno said. "But it's important to remember this is not a popularity contest." The court, he said, will "hopefully be looking strictly at the law as opposed to how many groups are lining up on one side or another."

Keep this action in mind when you criticize LGBT organizations for "mission creep" because they support workers' rights and other labor causes.