Bargaining Team Begins Mid-Term Negotiations for 24 Hour Facilities

Governor Ricketts and the State of Nebraska have agreed to enter into mid-term contract negotiations for the specific purpose of negotiating pay increases, overtime language, and other working condition language at 24 hour facilities. The State agreed to bargain with NAPE after concerns were raised regarding recent incentive bonuses offered to certain employees.

The State is allowed to offer incentive bonuses to employees without negotiating over these payments. In late July, the State decided to offer sign-on and retention bonuses for certain job classifications at 24 hour facilities at the Department of Corrections, DHHS, and Veterans’ Affairs. 

Annual hiring and retention bonuses ranging from $2,000 to $10,000  are being offered to Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Staff Care Technician IIs, Food Service Assistants, and Food Service workers. The State told NAPE it took this action to help immediately staff vacant positions and to encourage current employees to stay in their position. The vast majority of employees were left out of the incentive program.

In late August, NAPE hosted a virtual town hall meeting for all 24 hour facility employees to voice their opinions on what should be most important during mid-term bargaining. Wages, overtime assignment limitations, out-of-class assignments, and other topics were discussed as top priorities. NAPE members offered their opinions on what was most important to them.

Mid-term negotiations will begin on September 13, 2021. Members are encouraged to keep an eye on their email for updates about our progress. If you are not currently on our email list, you may join by clicking here. Thank you to the following NAPE members who will serve on the mid-term bargaining team:

Daniel Buchanan – Corrections, Lincoln

Lindsey Eads – Veterans’ Affairs, Kearney

Melissa Haynes – NAPE Chairperson – DHHS, Fremont

Jimmy Kazlaski – Corrections, Tecumseh

Rich Kerr – DHHS, Beatrice

Brian Koch – Corrections, Lincoln

Barb Pursley – Veterans’ Affairs, Scottsbluff