For my gay DU family and friends . Teamsters Action Stops Discrimination tax in UC
I work in UC Berkeley. This is a letter from my Union:
In response to Teamsters Local 2010 actions, the University has agreed to stop withholding the discriminatory tax on benefits provided to same-sex spouses. UC has committed to work diligently to re-program its payroll system quickly such that the tax withholding will end no later than mid-September.
“This win shows that we can make a change for the better when we stand up together for what is right,” said Jason Rabinowitz, Local 2010 Executive Director. “I’m proud of our members who had the courage to raise this issue, and not to back down until the University did the right thing and committed to end the discrimination.”
Back in June, the Supreme Court ruled the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional, and disapproved federal taxation of health benefits for same-sex couples who were legally married. Yet the University continued to withhold such taxes from employees’ paychecks. The Union sent a letter to President Yudof asking UC to cease the discriminatory tax, but the University responded that it had no plans to do so.
In response, a delegation of more than a dozen Local 2010 members, led by Executive Director Rabinowitz, appeared at the UC Regents meeting on July 17, to speak out for an end to the discrimination. After we took action, UC contacted the Union and told us they had decided to stop the discriminatory tax.
In order to expedite the process of ending the withholding, employees who are in same-sex marriages (domestic partnerships are not affected by the DOMA decision) are requested by the University to promptly submit the UPAY 850 form to their local benefits office. More detail on the change from the University may be found here.
“We commend the University for responding positively to our members’ action and committing to end the discriminatory tax promptly,” Rabinowitz said. “We will hold the University to its commitment. As this action shows, Teamsters Local 2010 will never tolerate any form of discrimination.”