Purpose
The purpose of this bulletin is to provide agencies with instructions for processing retroactive Uniform Allowance Adjustments and to provide the new Uniform Allowance Payment amounts.
Affected Employees
CUNY employees in the titles of Staff Nurse and Nurse Practitioner are affected.
Background
Per a Memorandum dated 03/04/2021, which serves as an addendum to the 2017-2022 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between CUNY and NYSNA and a Letter of Agreement dated 02/19/2021, the implementation and payment of the new Uniform Allowance increases are authorized for payment. NYSNA has opted to utilize its ACF/Equity funding totaling 0.40% towards increasing the uniform allowance by 90% retroactively effective 12/16/2019. Furthermore, Additions to Gross, Section 5 of the 2017-2022 MOA allows for an additional increase of 4.04% effective 12/16/2020.
Effective Dates
The retroactive Uniform Allowance increases are effective 12/16/2019 and 12/16/2020.
The retroactive adjustments should be processed in Institution Pay Period 1L/2C for the paychecks dated 04/22/2021.
Eligibility Criteria
Employees must be in one of the above specified titles and have previously received a 2019 and/or 2020 Uniform Allowance Payment to be eligible for a retroactive adjustment. New Uniform Allowance Payments, must be made using the newly implemented rates as follows:
| Title | Eligibility Requirements | New 2019 Amount | New 2020 Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Staff Nurse Practitioner | After the first year of service - be in Active pay status for at least 200 working days from January 1 to November 15 | $459.99 | $478.57 |
| Staff Nurse (hourly) | Be in Active pay status for at least 914-1224 hours from January 1 to November 15 Be in Active pay status for at least 1225-1714 hours from January 1 to November 15 Be in Active pay status for at least 1715 hours from January 1 to November 15 | $230.01 $345.00 $459.99 | $239.30 $358.94 $478.57 |
Agency Actions
Agencies must submit the following information on the Time Entry page or Time Entry Interface (NPAY502) using Earnings Code UA6 – Uniform Allowance CUNY to pay the retroactive adjustments to eligible employees:
| Earnings Begin Date: | 12/05/2019 or 12/03/2020 or effective date of prior 2019 and 2020 payments if different |
|---|---|
| Earnings End Date: | Same as effective date |
| Earnings Code: | UA6 |
| Amount: | The difference between the new uniform amounts and the amounts previously paid OR the full amount from the chart above if not previously paid |
Note: A separate UA6 adjustment must be entered for each previously paid 2019 and 2020 UA6 payment.
Retirement and General Deductions
The Uniform Allowance Payment (UA6) is not pensionable and is not included in the calculation of overtime compensation and is not subject to garnishments.
Tax Information
The December 2019 and 2020 Uniform Allowance Adjustments are supplemental taxable income, will be included in the employee’s taxable gross, and are subject to all employment taxes and income taxes.
Federal, State, and New York City income tax withholding will be calculated using the Aggregate method. Yonkers income tax withholding will be calculated using the Flat Rate method (1.61135% for Yonkers residents and 0.50% for Yonkers non-residents).
Questions
Questions regarding transactions may be directed to the Payroll Earnings mailbox.
Questions regarding Deductions may be directed to the Payroll Deduction mailbox.
Questions regarding Taxes may be directed to the Tax and Compliance mailbox.