UUP Binghamton

United University Professions filed a complaint against the State on December 28, 2011. The complaint is on behalf of UUP retirees over an increase in health insurance premium share. The complaint was filed on behalf of UUP by the Legal Department of New York State United Teachers. The complaint follows a similar complaint filed November 30 by the Retired Public Employees Association.

For employees that retired prior to 1983, the State pays the full cost of health insurance premiums. In 1983, a Civil Service law was adopted specifying that retirees pay 10% (individual) or 25% (family) of the health insurance premiums. The percentages have now been raised by the Civil Service Commission to 12% and 27% for state employees who retired before January 1, 2012. Employees retiring on or after January 1, 2012, will pay 12% and 27% if their annual salary at the time of retirement is less than $40,136, or 16% and 31% if their salary is above that amount. The complaint alleges that the increase in premium share for currently retired employees is illegal in the light of the Civil Service law that specifies the lower premium share.

Retirees are not represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes, nor are they current state employees. The action by UUP is on behalf of the retirees.