From: rjwill6@snfc430.PacBell.COM (Roderic J. Williams) Subject: First Interstate Bank Responds to NGLTF Date: Wed, 26 Jan 1994 08:30:25 -0800 (PST) George Kronenberger, of the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force's Workplace Project (georgek221@aol.com) asked me to post the following: ------------------------------------------------ Ken Preston, Vice President of First Interstate asked me to post the Bank's response to faxes, letters and phone calls regarding First Interstate's EEO policy. Please note First Interstate should be applauded for attempting to respond to the concerns of their lesbian and gay employees and customers. However, as far as NGLTF is concerned, the following response is totally unacceptable: +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ January 25, 1994 Dear Mr. Kronenberger: Thank you for taking the time this morning to discuss with me your recent Internet message concerning First Interstate's policy prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. We appreciate this opportunity to fully explain our policy. Our corporate policy prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant due to race, age, color, religion, national origin, sex, veteran status, disability or any other basis protected by state, federal or local law. Since corporate policy was designed to conform with the commonly required laws in the 13 states in which we operate, it does not make specific reference to sexual orientation. As a result it may be misunderstood that our policy condones discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Let me state clearly that First Interstate has been and will remain committed to ensuring equal opportunity for all its employees. Consistent with our corporate policy, First Interstate management explicitly prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or any other category in those states or locales where sexual orientation is a classification protected by law, and has made no decision to modify or eliminate that prohibition. In these cases, local bank communications other than our corporate policy may more explicitily address such requirements. First Interstate values the diversity of its workforce. Our strategy of encouraging teamwork, open, two-way communication and personal development requires that we foster an environment that includes rather than excludes diverse individuals so that our employees and the communities we serve can achieve their full potential. Finally, let me assure you that First Interstate will remain an equal opportunity employer. I am hopeful that in fairness, you will send this letter to the same Internet points that you sent your original note and provide subscribers an opportunity to hear both from you and First Interstate. Sincerely, Ken Preston Vice President First Interstate Bank +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Unfortunately, First Interstate has not gotten the message that what is implied by their policy (which was in fact modified) is that the Bank will not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation in states where such discrimination is illegal, but in those states where there is no such protection the option is open to discriminate against lesbians and gays. A corporate EEO clause is the basic test from which we can evaluate whether a company is sensitive to its gay and lesbian employees and customers. First Interstate is unwilling to include sexual orientation in its EEO clause, and we should continue to let them know that we are unhappy about it. Phone Bruce Willison, President, First Interstate, at (213) 614-4842, or fax him at (213) 614-3454. Also, please note that Bank of the West is a subsidiary of First Interstate. So if you bank there, let Mr. Willison know you do and that you are unhappy. George Kronenberger NGLTF Workplace Project GeorgeK221@aol.com -- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: rod williams : pacific bell : san francisco : rjwill6@pacbell.com :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::