Purpose:

The purpose of this bulletin is to inform agencies of the 2026 increase to Shift Differentials for NYSNA employees.

Affected Employees:

Employees represented by NYSNA (BU TE) who meet the eligibility criteria are affected:

Background:

Pursuant to the Collective Bargaining Agreements authorized by Carmelo Batista, Jr in the 05/30/2024 Memorandum of Agreement between the City University of New York and the New York State Nurses Association, an increase to Shift Differentials has been authorized for 2026.

Effective Dates:

The increase to Shift Differentials for NYSNA employees is effective 04/16/2026 for the Institution Pay Period 2C paycheck of 04/30/2026.

Eligibility Criteria:

Employees appointed to a NYSNA (BU TE) position who receive Earnings Code NRD and/or Earnings Code NRE and/or Earnings Code NRN on or after the Effective Date listed above are entitled to the increase.

Earnings Codes and Payment Amounts

OSC Actions:

OSC has increased the systematically calculated hourly rates for Time Entry Earnings Code NRD to $40.17/hour, Earnings Code NRE to $44.88/hour and Earnings Code NRN to $46.10/hour.

Agency Actions:

Reporting the Rate Increases:

Agencies should continue to submit Shift Differential payments on the Time Entry page or the Time Entry Interface (NPAY502) using Earnings Codes NRD, NRE and NRN as applicable.

Tax Information:

The NYSNA Shift Differential payments are taxable income, will be included in the employees’ taxable gross, and are subject to all employment and income taxes.

Undeliverable Checks:

When a valid payroll check is undeliverable due to the agency’s inability to locate the employee, the agency should follow the Agency Actions identified in Payroll Bulletin No. 1786 – Non-Negotiated and/or Undeliverable New York State Payroll Checks. 

Checks issued to eligible employees who are now deceased should be submitted as a Stop Payment Request with a reason of Exchange in PayServ. The Report of Check Exchange (AC 1476-P) Next of Kin Affidavit (AC 934-P), and original death certificate should be submitted to the Payroll Reversal and Exchange mailbox at the same time as the Stop Payment Request. If a Next of Kin Affidavit has been previously submitted for a deceased employee’s payroll check, OSC will accept a photocopy of this form along with a new Report of Check Exchange. 

Questions:

Questions regarding eligibility for the 2026 increase to Shift Differential payments for NYSNA employees may be directed to the University Manager of Payroll Systems and Operations at CUNY Central Office.

Questions regarding processing transactions for the 2026 increase to Shift Differential payments for NYSNA employees may be directed to the Payroll Earnings mailbox.

Questions regarding taxes may be directed to the Tax and Compliance mailbox.