‘All Nebraskans pay the price’: Union demands to negotiate Pillen’s remote work order

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A union of state employees made a formal demand on Monday to bargain with Gov. Jim Pillen over his order to return to work in person.

Pillen’s executive order said state employees must return to the office full time by Jan. 2.

The Nebraska Association of Public Employees, which represents more than 8,000 state workers, wants to go to the bargaining table.

Justin Hubly, executive director of NAPE, said its contract requires negotiation before these kinds of changes can be made.

But Dan Birdsall, the state’s chief negotiator, said that under the contract, the state “has discretion over the determination as to work locations and schedules.”

Hubly said the biggest goal is to balance providing vital services for Nebraskans with respecting the rights of workers.

He added that many agencies are already short staffed and can’t afford to lose employees to competitors that still offer work-from-home options.

“Some of our members have already begun applying for new jobs with outside employers,” he said in a press release. “We cannot afford to lose a single one of our public servants right now. If we do, all Nebraskans pay the price.”

The most recent report on vacancies in state agencies showed more than 2,500 unfilled jobs as of Sept. 30, according to the Nebraska Examiner.

In his order, Pillen said it is a “common sense expectation” that workers are most productive working together in an office.

Hubly said while he respects Pillen’s preference for employees to work in person, they have a right to negotiate first.

He said if the governor refuses to negotiate, the union will go to the Commission on Industrial Relations or district court.

“We may need a court to jump in for injunctive relief if the governor’s not willing to bargain,” Hubly said. “But I’m hopeful that the governor is willing to meet with us.”

The union has given the state until Dec. 12 to respond.

In a statement, a spokeswoman for the governor said Pillen was “proud” of the executive order.

“Nebraska’s hardworking farmers, ranchers, business men and women, plus others, expect taxpayer-funded state workers to be in the office and operationally engaged in a way that ensures outstanding customer service,” Laura Strimple said.