City attorneys had argued that because the contract did not specify which medical procedures are covered in the plan, the government could make exclusions at any time. AFSCME represents about 900 clerical and technical employees, as well as sanitation and water treatment workers, registered nurses, and others. About 1,000 AFSCME members are women.

In addition to restoring abortion as a covered procedure under the medical plan, arbitrator James Mancini ordered the city to reimburse any union member who had had an abortion since the ban was put in place. Bob Turner, AFSCME executive director, said in a January 8 phone interview said he was unaware of any AFSCME member who had yet applied for reimbursement, but that the union was “putting out a mass mailing to make sure members are aware of their rights.”

City Solicitor Rita McNeil told the Cincinnati Enquirer that she does not intend to appeal the arbitrator’s decision unless told to do so by the city council.  
 
 
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