AFSCME Council 6 and MAPE, the two largest unions representing state employees, have been honored for their work to support domestic partner benefits in state contracts.

The Minnesota Alliance for Progressive Action (MAPA) presented its Progressive Campaign Award to the two unions and to OutFront Minnesota, an activist group, at the annual MAPA dinner Dec. 14.

Health care benefits for same-sex domestic partners were included in the new state contracts negotiated between AFSCME, MAPE and the State of Minnesota last year. The benefits were not an issue in the two-week state strike by state workers that preceded a settlement, but they became a lightning rod when the contracts came before the Legislature for approval.

AFSCME, MAPE and OutFront Minnesota united in a campaign to preserve the negotiated contract.

'A contract is a contract is a contract,' said Ann DeGroot, executive director of OutFront Minnesota, which advocates on behalf of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

'A lot of folks wanted to divide workers from each other,' said Peter Benner, executive director of AFSCME Council 6. 'It is really about standing up for the children, standing up for the people, standing up for each other.'

Jim Monroe, executive director of MAPE said, 'We put together something that was a brief and shining moment.' But he noted that the issue will arise again, because the contracts still haven't been ratified and negotiations on the next contracts have begun. Governor-elect Tim Pawlenty has said he will oppose any contracts that include domestic partner benefits.

State Rep. Karen Clark, DFL-Minneapolis, who presented the award, lauded the organizations for their courage. 'GLBT rights are and must be part of an economic and social justice agenda,' she said.

For more information

AFSCME Council 6 website, www.afscmecouncil6.org

MAPE website, www.mape.org

OutFront Minnesota website, www.outfrontminnesota.org