Our union negotiations team comprised of Daniel Buchanan (Corrections, Lincoln), Lindsey Eads (Veterans’ Affairs, Kearney), Melissa Haynes (DHHS, Fremont), Jimmy Kazalski (Corrections, Tecumseh), Rich Kerr (DHHS, Beatrice), Brian Koch (Corrections, Lincoln), Barb Pursley (Veterans’ Affairs, Scottsbluff) are excited to announce that they have reached a historic agreement with the State of Nebraska to increase wages and benefits for all state employees. The agreement is being finalized and is expected to be signed in the coming weeks.
October 18 Information Webinar Recording
AGREEMENT HIGHLIGHTS
All State Employees Will See a Larger Salary Increase in July
On July 1, in addition to our previously negotiated step increase, all job classifications will be adjusted upward by an additional 2% (unless they receive an upward adjustment on November 1 – see below). This means that current state employees with a satisfactory 2021 performance evaluation will see more than a 3% salary increase in July. This will be the largest across the board annual increase since 2007.
Example:
Instead of advancing just one step, a Social Service Worker currently on Step 4 ($17.567), will have their pay line adjusted upward by 2% on July 1, and then the employee will advance to the new adjusted Step 5 ($18.097) with a satisfactory 2021 performance evaluation. This equates to a 3.02% increase or about an $1,100/year salary increase for this sample employee.
24 Hour Facilities – $3/Hour Increase
To address immediate needs at our 24 hour facilities, all employees assigned to a 24 hour care facility (Corrections, DHHS, Veterans’ Affairs) will have $3/hour differential added to their salary beginning November 1. This will be in addition to any classification adjustments (see below) and/or other differentials. 24 hour facilities also include the NDCS Pharmacy & Cornhusker State Industries.
Example:
An Office Technician assigned to the Norfolk Regional Center currently on Step 7 ($12.738) will have $3 added to their wage for an hourly salary of $15.738. Additionally, these workers will also receive the 2% pay line adjustment and additional step increase based on satisfactory or better performance on July 1. This amounts to an additional $6,240/year in salary.
Example:
A Staff Care Technician II assigned to the Central Nebraska Veterans’ Home currently on Step 4 ($14.905) will maintain Step 4 after the payline is increased by 30% for a new salary of $19.377. Additionally, they will have $3 added to their salary for working in a 24 hour facility, for a new salary of $22.377. This amounts to an additional $15,541/year in salary.
Classification Adjustments Upward by 20%
To address immediate needs, on November 1 the following job classifications will have the minimum salary adjusted upward by 20% (Employees will retain their current step placement on the adjusted step salary schedule):
- Corrections Industries Sales Representative (A09621)
- Librarian (A37113)
- Librarian/Senior (A37114)
- Librarian/Agency (A37740)
- Librarian/Corrections (A37750)
- Behavior Technician Programming Coordinator (C72012)
- Child/Family Services Specialist Trainee (C72311)
- Child/Family Services Specialist (C72312)
- Child/Family Services Lead Worker (C72313)
- Social Worker I (C72331)
- Social Worker II (C72332)
- Master Social Worker (C72341)
- Certified Master Social Worker (C72342)
- Youth Counselor I (C72481)
- DD Community Coordinator Specialist (C72841)
- DD Service Coordinator (C72831)
- Foster Care Review Specialist (C73771)
- G&P Asst Horticulturist (E82411)
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst (H72442)
- Behavioral Health Practitioner I (H72551)
- Behavioral Health Practitioner II (H72552)
- Behavioral Health Practitioner III (H72553)
- Behavioral Health Practitioner IV (H72554)
- Interdisciplinary Team Leader/QDDP (H76220)
- Active Treatment Program Specialist (H76463)
- Recreation Specialist (H77043)
- Recreation Coordinator (H77044)
- Developmental Technician (I76211)
- Developmental Technician II (I76212)
- Active Treatment Program Aide (I76461)
- Active Treatment Program Assistant (I76462)
- Recreation Assistant (I77042)
- State Patrol Forensic Technician (M53010)
- Food Service Assistant (M80011)
- Food Service Worker (M80012)
- Maintenance Technician (M84011)
- Maintenance Specialist I (M84012)
- Maintenance Specialist II (M84013)
- Electrician (M84210)
- Plumber (M84230)
- Machinist (M84330)
- Facilities Management Systems Coordinator (M84550)
- Stationary Engineer Senior (M84582)
- Corr Industries Shop Operator (M84631)
- Corr Industries Print Shop Operator (M84660)
- Developmental Disabilities Surveyor/Consultant (X62550)
Example:
A Maintenance Technician working at the Lincoln Regional Center currently on step 10 ($13.124) will maintain Step 10 after the payline is increased by 20% for a new salary of $15.749. Additionally, they will have $3 added to their salary for working in a 24 hour facility, for a new salary of $18.749. This amounts to an additional $11,700/year in salary.
Example:
A Child/Family Services Specialist currently on step 6 ($19.549) will maintain Step 6 after the payline is increased by 20% for a new salary of $23.459. This amounts to an additional $8,133/year.
Example:
A Maintenance Technician working at the Omaha State Office Building currently on step 10 ($13.124) will maintain Step 10 after the payline is increased by 20% for a new salary of $15.749. This amounts to an additional $5,460/year.
Healthcare Classification Adjustments Upward by 30%
To address immediate needs, on November 1 the following job classifications will have the minimum salary adjusted upward by 30% (Employees will retain their step placement on the step salary schedule):
- DHHS Program Specialist – RN (H73320)
- Health Program Manager – RN (H74230)
- DHHS Nurse Consultant (H74650)
- Pharmacist (H74731)
- Registered Nurse (H75014)
- Administrative Nurse (H75015)
- Clinical Nurse Trainer (H75321)
- Community Health Nurse Senior (H75513)
- Physical Therapist II (H77114)
- Occupational Therapist (H77312)
- Respiratory Therapist (H77420)
- Speech Pathologist (H77650)
- Dietitian (H80410)
- Public Health Nutritionist, Senior (H80452)
- Dental Assistant (I74110)
- Optometric Aide (I74250)
- Pharmacy Technician (I74711)
- Pharmacy Inventory Technician (I74712)
- Staff Care Technician I (I75011)
- Staff Care Technician II (I75012)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (I75013)
- Physical Therapy Aide (I77111)
- Facilities Surveyor/Consultant (X62450)
- Professional & Occupational Licensing Investigator/RN (X62462)
- Nursing Services Surveyor Consultant (X62580)
Overtime Pay
All overtime worked at 24 hour facilities will be paid at double time, instead of time and a half, through July 1.
All overtime worked at 24 hour facilities on a holiday will be paid at 2.5 times pay, instead of double time, through July 1.
OT exempt employees may be paid time and a half or straight time OT at agency head discretion.
Paternity Leave
Fathers will now be able to use earned sick leave for bonding time with a newborn child while on FMLA leave during the first year of the child’s life.
Nursing Salary Schedules
The 2.5%, ten year experience, step pay system is eliminated. Nurses will now be placed on the same 40 step pay plan as other employees. Nurses will still be recognized for each year of nursing experience up to ten years by adding 3 steps per year of experience. Current nurses with more than 10 years of experience, above their current classification maximum, will receive a 30% salary increase.
Temporary Reassignments
When temporarily reassigned duties in a higher paying job classification, employees will be compensated at the higher rate of pay immediately when they complete the new work for 8 hours (instead of 15 days).
Military Leave
Paid military leave is now available for up to 440 hours (currently 120 hours).
Learn More – Attend an In Person or Virtual Meeting
To learn more about these changes, you are invited to a webinar on October 18 at 7pm central or an in person meeting near you.
Not A NAPE Member? Please Join Us Today!
Over the past three years, NAPE membership has grown by 60%. Together, we have negotiated the highest wage increases in history since the State Employees Collective Bargaining Act was passed in 1987. If you are not currently a NAPE member, please join us today! Our union is strong, and growing stronger, as we fight for our members and their rights. We must keep growing to have the power to continue winning better wages and working conditions.