MOUNT LAUREL, N.J.—After persuasion from New Jersey’s governor and attorney general, United Parcel Service of America announced July 30 that it would extend health insurance benefits to the civil union partners of gay employees in New Jersey.

The policy change has to do with New Jersey’s civil unions law, which took effect in February, and seeks to give gay couples the same rights in the state as married couples.

Gov. Jon S. Corzine sent Atlanta-based UPS a letter on July 20 asking the shipping giant to change its stance.

The company had previously said that civil union partners were legally different from spouses, and therefore, the partners were not entitled to the same benefits that spouses of the company’s hourly workers receive.

Gay rights advocates say UPS’s legal interpretation was faulty.

UPS spokesman Norman Black said the company is reviewing its policies in Connecticut and Vermont, which also offer civil unions.