Mitsubishi Gives Workers DP Benefits
by Jan Prout
365Gay.com Newscenter in Toronto

http://www.365gay.com/newscontent/090101insurance.htm

(September 2, Toronto) Japanese automaker Mitsubishi is following the lead of other North American automakers and extending health insurance coverage to same-sex partners of plant workers.

The benefits are contained in a new contract between the United Auto Workers and Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America.

Similar benefits are available to workers in Canadian plants through contracts with the Canadian Autoworkers Union, but they are not available to GLBT workers in Mitsubishi plants in Japan.

The North American change mirrors moves taken by General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and DaimlerChrysler in 2000.

As with the Big Three, the offer of benefits excludes heterosexual partners because they have the legal right to marry. The new contract also requires employees with same-sex partners to provide evidence they are in a long-term, committed relationship.

The issue was put forward in negotiations by the UAW.

According to MMMA spokesman Dan Irvin, "Recognizing same-sex domestic partners for benefits is becoming an industry standard and was approved without disagreement."