Union says Nebraska agencies are ignoring pause of return-to-office order

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A union says some Nebraska agencies aren’t following a ruling that pauses a contentious return-to-office order.

Last month, Gov. Jim Pillen ordered an end to remote work for state employees.  They were ordered to return to their offices by Tuesday.

But the Nebraska Association of Public Employees filed a petition with the Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations, alleging that the state violated the State Employees Collective Bargaining Act.

On Friday, the labor commission agreed to halt the order while the trial is ongoing.

But the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Revenue are ignoring the pause, according to the union.

On Tuesday, DHHS sent a message ordering remote employees to return to the office by Jan. 17, NAPE said.

The union said the tax commissioner sent a similar message, stating that employees must return by Jan. 16.

In response, the union filed a petition in Lancaster County District Court, asking a judge to enforce the labor commission’s order and hold the state in contempt.

“The CIR’s order is clear and unambiguous. It’s shocking that the State would simply ignore the Commission’s order,” Justin Hubly, the union’s executive director, said in a press release. “The state has left us with no option but to go to court to enforce the CIR’s order.”

The union expects a judge to consider the petition and contempt motion “in an expedited matter.”

Officials also said union members are committed to working together in the “best interest of all Nebraskans.”

“We continue to be hopeful the State of Nebraska will avoid this needless litigation and agree to negotiate with our union,” Hubly said. “We need to work together to attract and retain a new generation of public servants to best serve our fellow Nebraskans. Every action the State has taken so far has demonstrated it isn’t interested in working together or following the law. It’s incredibly disheartening.”

Channel 8 has reached out to Pillen’s office for comment.