Even as the Blue-collar and White-collar employees represented by HUSW conclude ratification of their 2025-2026 contract, a new attack on the voices of public sector unions is underway in Tallahassee. SB 1296 made its way through committees and was presented on the senate floor for a final vote on March 6th. Despite broad opposition from constituents who made the journey to Tallahassee to testify in committee, and on the heels of amending the bill to make it just slightly more palatable, the bill sponsor--Senator Martin of Lee County--brought to the floor an additional amendment which would require a majority participation of all employees in the bargaining unit to constitute a valid recertification election.

The intent of the bill is clearly to decertify public sector unions across the state. Only first responder locals are exempt from the new legislation.

It cannot be emphasized enough that the only way to ensure we continue to have a collective voice in our wages and working conditions is to build membership beyond the 60% requirement. There is no contract without a union. Stand with your colleagues and make sure we can continue to fight for the contract we deserve.

The White-collar unit ratified with 97% voting in favor and the Blue-collar ratified with 95%.

The tentative agreements for the 2025-26 contract will be ratified by the Board in March and bonus payments will be distributed soon thereafter.

Increases in the annual step will apply July 1, 2026, for all employees who earn a year of service credit in the 2025-2026 year.

The parties have agreed to open bargaining early for the 2026-27 contract and will return to the table in April. Sessions will continue to be live-streamed and recorded, but your presence in bargaining sessions is important. There is power in SOLIDARITY!

In mid-October, the Florida Public Employees Relations Commission tallied the votes for HUSW's White Collar unit, reporting 97% of ballots cast in support of HUSW. With this final tally, HUSW has officially concluded the 2025 recertification process. Congratulations to the members and potential members among the Blue and White Collar Education Related Support Professionals of Hernando County Schools who continue to stand together to protect and improve their working conditions!

BROOKSVILLE, FL -- July 10, 2025

Like many other FEA locals across the state, HUSW received notice that PERC elections would be held during the summer months when many of our bargaining unit members are not at work. This presents something of a challenge in communicating with non-year-round employees, and HUSW leaders will be actively reaching out via email and text to keep everyone up to date. Mail ballot elections should ensure all eligible unit members have an opportunity to cast a vote to protect our collective voice and our negotiated working conditions, however employees who are not reporting to work, or who may be exempt from public record, will need to be particularly vigilant.

Our Blue Collar (Operational Employees) unit election is scheduled for July 10th - August 7th. Our White Collar (Student & Administrative Support Employees) unit clarification is complete and our petition for renewal has been referred to the Elections Division at PERC.

Please monitor communications from HUSW and HCSD throughout the summer. Watch your home mailbox for an envelope from the State of Florida Public Employees Relations Commission. If you do not receive a ballot within 10 days of the election window opening, contact HUSW (352-237-6275) for assistance in requesting a replacement ballot. We will do our best to address all timely requests for replacements.

Once the ballot has arrived, be sure to follow the directions carefully to ensure your vote will count. Your return envelope may not include postage, so please be certain that you affix the appropriate amount of postage to ensure delivery by the last day of the election window.

Remember that a YES for Hernando United School Workers protects your negotiated working conditions and makes sure that we can continue fighting to improve wages and working conditions together. THE BEST WAY TO GUARANTEE YOUR WORKPLACE PROTECTIONS IS TO BECOME A MEMBER OF HUSW TODAY! Click to JOIN

BROOKSVILLE, FL -- November 6, 2024

This election cycle, Hernando County voters once again demonstrated their commitment to strong public schools by renewing the two local school funding referendums. These funds are essential to maintaining school facilities, providing expanded student programs, and attracting and retaining the staff needed to keep our students safe and academically successful.

For support staff in Hernando Schools, these referendums protect compensation. Through our negotiated referendum supplements, wages for school workers remain competitive with similar and surrounding districts.

Hernando United School Workers thanks the voters --our friends, family and neighbors-- for standing with us and continuing these important investments in our schools.

BROOKSVILLE, FL -- November 6, 2024

With 97% approval, the Blue and White Collar Support Staff Contract has been ratified by Hernando County School employees!

The same agreements will be presented to the school board for approval at the November 19th school board meeting and raises with retro pay will be processed in time for the holidays. 

Not only did the employees of Hernando Schools' Blue and White Collar Support units overwhelmingly approve this year's agreements, our local had RECORD HIGH participation in this ratification vote. The average number of votes cast in the five most recent ratifications was 170. HUSW leaders prioritized bringing the contract vote to the employees so they could have a say in their wages and working conditions IN THEIR WORKPLACE, and consequently 855/1065 --80% of all impacted employees--took the opportunity to be part of determining the outcome of this year's contract negotiation!

This ratification clearly signals that employees want a say in their working conditions. We're building a stronger, more representative union to elevate our collective voice. Join HUSW and be part of the change!

BROOKSVILLE, FL -- October 16, 2024

In a recent survey, employees of the HUSW bargaining unit identified the following goals for a successful salary negotiation this year:

1. Increases that respect the qualifications, responsibilities and demands of positions
2. Increases that reward experience/longevity with the district
3. Increases that are larger than last year's raises

The HUSW bargaining team --comprised of volunteer HUSW members from across job classifications-- believes that this year's salary agreement checks all of those boxes! With the exception of a handful of positions in the bargaining unit that received very generous salary improvements in 2023-24, this year's wage improvements are TWICE the value of last year's. Flat adjustments are tiered to respect the qualifications and demands of positions and will ensure that 94% of all bargaining unit members will receive the equivalent of a greater than 7% salary increase! Additionally, the value of step increments and 'longevity' increments awarded annually will be codified in the contract, along with clarification of salary placement for employees returning after a break in service.

Employees in the bargaining units are encouraged to take time to carefully review the tentative agreements on the HUSW website in preparation for ratification. HUSW has committed to holding ratification voting at each worksite on November 4th to ensure every stakeholder has an opportunity to weigh in. 

Deliberate efforts were made to ensure this year's contract negotiations were as open and transparent as possible. HUSW would like to acknowledge the employees who prioritized attending the October 5th Membership Meeting, completing the bargaining unit survey, and showing up to witness contract negotiations in person. HSUW leaders looks forward to even greater participation and support in the next bargaining cycle!

While there is always more to be done to attract, retain and reward the dedicated non-instructional staff in Hernando Schools. This year's agreement is a tremendous step in the right direction and something that we hope all members of the new HUSW can be very proud of!