A new contract between The Newspaper Guild and The New York 
Times has been ratified. The local unit, which represents 
reporters and others at the paper, had the following 
information in "Union Times," its publication.

INSURANCE FOR DOMESTIC PARTNERS
   A ground-breaking benefit won by the Guild extends members' 
health-insurance coverage beyond the traditional family to 
cover workers' "domestic partners" of either gender.

    An earlier issue of "Union Times" had this to say about the 
agreement:

    --The Times has agreed to a Guild proposal to make Health 
Insurance benefits available to domestic partners. The Times 
will contribute an additional $170,000 per year to the Benefits 
Fund in order to cover any costs associated with these new 
benefits. In addition, Times employees will be covered by the 
Bereavement Leave clause, in the event of the death of a 
domestic partner. The Times also agreed to abide by all 
anti-discrimination laws concerning sexual orientation or 
affectional preference.


John Freed                freed@pipeline.com