UFT VNS Health nurses win 12% increase in new 2-year pact
Federation of Nurses/UFT members, who are registered professional nurses with VNS Health, overwhelmingly approved a new 2-year contract that provides a 12% compounded salary increase over the course of the agreement, preserves healthcare benefits and contains no give-backs.
“It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the negotiating team that we achieved an on-time contract that meets our goals of fair pay, health benefits, and working conditions,” said UFT Vice President Anne Goldman, the head of the Federation of Nurses/UFT.
Kaiser Mojica, the chapter vice chair and a member of the negotiating committee, said that he was proud to have negotiated a contract that addressed so many concerns of members. “It’s a credit to the strength and reputation of the union,” said Mojica.
David Rosales, Chief of Provider Services for VNS Health, also praised the process: "All parties engaged with professionalism, mutual respect, grounded in the understanding that listening to nurses is essential to strengthening care for patients and families."
The pact, which went into effect on Feb. 1 and runs through January 2028, features among other wins:
- 6% pay hike increase effective April 1, 2026
- 5.75% increase effective April 1, 2027
- Base salary for new hires rises to $125,781, up from $112,209
- Health insurance remains premium-free.
- The health benefit for retirees who have worked for 25 years and are now aged 62-65 will increase to $6,000 per year
- Nurses must be scheduled three months in advance; there will be a seven-day limit on consecutive work days; activation will occur only in emergency situations; and VNS will first solicit volunteers before activating subject-to-call nurses.
The bargaining process began in November with an online survey sent to VNS nurses to determine members’ contract priorities. The 20-person negotiating committee based its demands on the results of that survey.
The nurses voted overwhelmingly Jan. 27 to adopt the contract. VNS registered professional nurses provide adult care, pediatric care, managed long-term care, and hospice care in their patients' homes.