Nurses Ratify Deal: $18M Boost for Shands Staff

Nurses at UF Health Shands Hospital have successfully ratified a new three-year contract with their union, the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 713/Florida Nurses Association. This landmark agreement ensures registered nurses will receive more than $18.3 million in increased compensation. The contract also dedicates $3.3 million to shield employees from potential health insurance premium increases in 2027. Negotiations, which spanned May through June of this year, were described as respectful and professional.

The newly ratified contract provides significant financial benefits for about 3,000 registered nurses. These include hourly pay increases ranging from $1 to $4, supplemented by annual merit-based raises averaging 3.8%. A notable wage reopener clause allows for potential renegotiation of wages in the spring of 2027. Union leadership emphasized that this agreement represents a testament to nurses standing together to achieve meaningful improvements and strengthen their collective voice in workplace matters.