Court finds no bias on faiths in GM program
BY CHARLES WILSON
ASSOCIATED PRESS
December 31, 2005
INDIANAPOLIS -- A General Motors program that allows Hispanics, blacks or
lesbians -- but not Christians -- to organize in employee groups is not
committing religious discrimination, a federal court ruled.
GM's Affinity Group diversity program does not discriminate against
Christians because it treats all religions equally, the 7th Circuit U.S.
Court of Appeals in Chicago ruled Thursday.
The court upheld a decision by a federal judge in Indianapolis, where the
original lawsuit was filed by John Moranski, a born-again Christian who
works at GM's Allison Transmission plant in Indianapolis.
Moranski applied in December 2002 to start an interdenominational
Christian employees group as part of the diversity program, according to
court documents.
GM rejected the application because program guidelines do not allow
Affinity Groups to promote religious positions, the documents state.
Moranski filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission and then filed a federal lawsuit claiming that the denial
constituted illegal religious discrimination.
Judge David Hamilton dismissed the suit, holding that Moranski had failed
to state a claim for the court to consider.
The appeals court agreed. "The allegations in Moranski's complaint make
clear that General Motors would have taken the same action had he
possessed a different religious position," Judge Ann Claire Williams
wrote in its opinion.
Moranski argued that the guidelines treat religious groups less favorably
than nonreligious groups, but the appeals court disagreed. The
guidelines, the court said, prohibit the forming of Affinity Groups based
on any religious position, including atheism.
"Simply stated, General Motors' Affinity Group policy treats all
religious alike -- it excludes them all from serving as the basis of a
company-recognized Affinity Group," Williams wrote.
GM corporate diversity spokeswoman Crystal Hickman said the company was
pleased with the decision.
According to GM's Web site, the company recognizes nine Affinity Groups
-- ones for people with disabilities, gays and lesbians, women,
Hispanics, veterans, and four groups for people of African or Asian
ancestry.
Moranski could not be located for comment.
--
Enkidu AA#2165
http://www.thoughts.leaddogs.org/
EAC Chaplain and ordained minister,
ULC, Modesto, CA
PGP ID: 0xC4CE8CF0
Hey, just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand!
-- Homer Simpson
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