Under a green oak on 8th Street in Jacksonville, roughly two dozen members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) gathered with green and blue signs demanding occupational respect from UF Health Jacksonville. The protest follows the health system’s announcement that negotiations with the unions had reached an impasse this summer.
Unfair‑labor practice complaint filed
On Sept. 18, AFSCME Local 1328 and Local 1781 lodged an unfair‑labor practice complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, accusing UF Health of refusing to bargain in good faith. The two locals together represent more than 2,000 workers across the UF Health Jacksonville system, including nurses, therapists, food‑service staff and other patient‑facing professionals.
Union president Mary Blocker‑Williams, a 23‑year veteran of Local 1328, told Jacksonville Today she was “sick and tired of being sick and tired.” She noted that past negotiations with UF Health have always lasted more than three days, yet this round stalled after only three days, with the employer declaring an impasse.
First grievance in three decades
According to AFSCME, this is the first unfair‑labor practice grievance filed against UF Health Jacksonville in more than thirty years of representation. The grievance centers on the employer’s proposal to eliminate 40 hours of paid‑time‑off (PTO) for union members during the holiday season, a benefit that many staff relied on to care for families and manage reduced hours when patient census is low.
Lindsay Stephens, a registered nurse and member of the bargaining committee for Local 1781, explained that workers often use accrued PTO to offset reduced hours caused by low patient volumes. “We’re the only hospital that used to have holiday pay, and that was a huge incentive for people to come and work for UF Health,” she said. “Now they’re taking it away. If you work three 12‑hour shifts a week, you’ll lose 40 hours of PTO per year.”
UF Health’s response
UF Health Jacksonville issued a statement acknowledging the contributions of its team members and affirming a commitment to competitive compensation and benefits. The system said it will continue to adhere to the existing collective bargaining agreement while working with AFSCME on a resolution.
“We greatly appreciate the important contributions our team members make to providing exceptional compassionate care for our community,” the statement read. “We are committed to providing competitive compensation and benefits and will continue to partner with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees on behalf of our valued employees.”
Impact on families and upcoming negotiations
Union members emphasized that the loss of holiday PTO would hurt families who depend on that time to care for children, aging parents, and even pets. “We need that to take care of our kids, to take care of our parents, our grandparents, our animals, everything,” Stephens said. “And you take that away, that hurts us.”
The proposed PTO changes are set to take effect on Dec. 19, adding urgency to the negotiations. Both locals hope to reach a new agreement before the holiday season begins.
Background on contract timeline
The current collective bargaining agreement between UF Health Jacksonville and the two AFSCME locals expires in 2027. While the contract remains in force, the unions argue that the employer’s unilateral changes to holiday PTO violate the terms of the agreement and the workers’ rights under federal labor law.
As the dispute moves forward, the National Labor Relations Board will review the unfair‑labor practice complaint, and both sides have indicated a willingness to continue talks. The outcome will affect not only the more than 2,000 health‑care workers but also the broader Jacksonville community that relies on UF Health’s services.
Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.
