CalCatholic.com
?Over the last several years, more and more unions have formally endorsed marriage equality? for same-sex couples, said the Aug. 23 Bay Area Reporter. It is unknown, however, ?how many unions have changed their pension policies or those covering domestic partner benefits,? said the newspaper, which has served the ?lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities? since 1971.
The case of East Bay resident Marvin Burrows, 71, however, may be a sign that unions may begin to offer pension policies and benefits to domestic partners, said the Reporter. Burrows? former partner, Bill Swenor, had worked at Owens Illinois Warehouse in Oakland for 38 years and was a member of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. When Swenor died ?suddenly? at the age of 67 in March 2005, ?Burrows was beside himself with grief, but thought he would receive Swenor?s union pension,? said the Reporter.