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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!

On September 19th, 2024, the HUSW Blue Collar unit successfully recertified with 93% of all ballots voting YES for HUSW. This election ensures that operational services staff continue to have a voice in their wages, hours and working conditions through contract negotiations with Hernando Schools.

Both units are fully certified with HUSW recognized as the designated collective bargaining agent. Union and District bargaining teams continue to make progress with negotiation of 2024-25 salary improvements. Bargaining sessions are public meetings and members are encouraged to attend and show their support for improved working conditions for all. The next session will be held at 5pm at the District Office on October 16th.

Certification ballots were mailed out on August 15th! Operational service employees in the HUSW Blue Collar unit should be receiving mail ballots in their home mailboxes this week! These ballots, coming to you from the State of Florida, Public Employees Relations Commission, may look a bit like junk mail--so be on the lookout!

If you do not receive a ballot by August 23rd, please reach out to HUSW to request assistance in ordering a replacement ballot.

Please follow the directions for completing and returning your ballot carefully. Do not handle another person's ballot. All ballots must be returned to PERC by September 19th in order to be counted. If a majority of the returned ballots are YES for HUSW, the unit is recertified!

A YES vote for HUSW is a vote to protect your contract and ensures we can continue our fight for improved working conditions. If you have any questions, please contact HUSW through the United Service Unit (352-237-6275).

On June 11, 2024, the HUSW White Collar unit successfully recertified with 97% of all ballots voting YES for HUSW. This election ensures that clerical, paraprofessional, and technical staff continue to have a voice in their wages, hours and working conditions through contract negotiations with Hernando Schools.

The Blue Collar unit, which includes operational services staff, have completed a unit clarification and will be scheduled for a recertification election in the coming weeks.

Both units remain fully certified with HUSW recognized as the designated collective bargaining agent. Union and District bargaining teams will continue negotiations for the 2024-25 school year, with plans to address economics following the presentation of the district's 2024-25 budget. Bargaining sessions are public meetings and members are encouraged to attend and show their support for improved working conditions for all.

HUSW's White Collar unit election for recertification is HERE! Mail ballots can be expected to begin arriving in employee's home mail as soon as May 11th! 

All employees of the White Collar unit (clerical and paraprofessional staff) should be on the lookout for a ballot envelope. Return a YES for HUSW to protect your contract and our right to continue bargaining for improved working conditions!

The Blue Collar unit (operational services) has been clarified and we anticipate notification of a mail ballot election in the coming days.

Please stay vigilant and be on the lookout for communications from HUSW throughout the summer! Let's keep rebuilding our union together! Vote YES and join HUSW today!

The time to take the lead in rebuilding our union is NOW!

The call for Self-Nominations for elected officers of the NEW HUSW is here!  All HUSW members in good standing are eligible to self-nominate for the following interim positions:

• President
• Vice-President
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Executive Board Directors (Clerical, Environmental Services, Food and Nutrition, Maintenance, Paraprofessional, and Transportation)

Seats shall be for a single-year term with elected officers installed June 1, 2024.

Anyone wishing to run for a leadership position must submit a self-nomination form with endorsement of three HUSW members to Bernie Kemp no later than April 30th. Potential candidates are encouraged to attend the April 24th Candidate Meeting at 7pm on Zoom (look for link in home email).

On Saturday, January 27th, members and potential members of HUSW gathered at Springstead High School to learn about the transformation that has begun for our union. Andrew Spar, president of Florida Education Association (FEA), attended the meeting to officially introduce Bernie Kemp as the administrator of HUSW. Those in attendance received information about the plan for rebuilding and growing HUSW into a strong union local, and not surprising at all--several individuals began that process by completing their online application for membership.

In the coming days, information will be distributed at worksites across the district and every employee in the blue and white collar ESP units will have the chance to join and be involved in the NEW HUSW.