Affiliate union members of the Nebraska State AFL-CIO, including NAPE/AFSCME, came to Lincoln in March to lobby state senators for legislation benefiting union members and workers across Nebraska. Even a blizzard couldn’t stop hundreds of union members from descending on the capitol to have our voices heard.
NAPE President Melissa Haynes (DHHS, Fremont) and Vice President Brandon Brown (Revenue, Lincoln) were joined by Toni Bonsera (DHHS, Omaha) and Dan DeJong (Environment and Energy, Lincoln) to represent NAPE at the conference.
Union members spent the first day learning about issues and bills affecting workers rights across Nebraska. This included bills that are being monitored by the NAPE/AFSCME Government Affairs Committee. Additionally, members heard from guest speakers regarding the state budget, potential funding cuts, and safety issues that workers face on the job.
On the second day of the conference, members heard from IBEW union member State Senator Dan Quick (District 35, Grand Island) about the importance of engaging with our elected leaders, especially at the Unicameral. Members then went to the capitol to meet with their state senator to have conversations about issues that affect state employees.
“Being able to talk to our state senators directly and tell them about the challenges that state employees face and how they can support us is meaningful,” said Brandon Brown. As chair of the NAPE Government Affairs Committee, Brandon says that it’s important for NAPE members to engage with their state senator before they vote on important proposed legislation. “When NAPE puts out an action alert to contact a senator, please do it. Thousands of us making calls and writing emails, can really make a difference.”
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