Perhaps I missed something...
But I believe this works on SQL2000, but 2005.
There was a change to the behavior of unions....
ms-help://MS.SQLCC.v9/MS.SQLSVR.v9.en/instsql9/html/47edefbd-a09b-4087-937a-453cd5c6e061.htm
Honor Super Omnia-
Jason Miller