Despite the recent passage of same-sex marriage in Washington a union is alleging that Chicago-based aerospace company Boeing is intending to deny equal pension benefits to married same-sex couples in the state.
The Windy City Times reported that The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) executive director, Ray Goforth said that despite Boeing’s progressive record on LGBT issues the company had stated in no uncertain terms that it was not required to offer such benefits because federal law governs pensions and does not recognize same-sex marriage.
“We were really really surprised that the company’s answer was ‘no,’” said Goforth. “We thought that this position was beneath them.”
However, in a statement provided to the Windy City Times Boeing said that they were, “… taking a closer look at R-74 [the referendum that legalized same-sex marriage in Washington] and its impact on current policies and benefits once the law goes into effect in Washington State in December.”
When asked by the Windy City Times if the company did in fact tell SPEEA it would not be extending the benefits, Doug Alder, a spokesperson for Boeing, said the company is not commenting beyond that statement.
No comment in fact confirms that they did say such a thing. Moreover, the statement “taking a closer look” implies that they’re doing something but doesn’t actually state that. This statement is a non-denial denial AND a non-promise promise. Classic PR doublespeak.