The Nebraska Legislature adjourned on June 2 having passed a biennium state budget that fully funds the second largest salary increases for NAPE/AFSCME members since 1987. The session, however, will be remembered as one where working families were not supported by their state senators.
The legislature passed bills that prohibit web based delivery service drivers from unionizing and negotiating the terms and conditions of their employment and to take away some paid sick leave benefits voters passed overwhelmingly by ballot initiative. The legislature was also poised to roll back minimum wage increases passed by voters via initiative, however, the bill failed on final reading when a senator was absent from the chamber.
“While the three major anti-worker bills don’t directly affect state employees, I’m very concerned about the future with senators ignoring the will of the voters and generally not supporting working people and our families,” said Executive Director Justin Hubly. “Our members have to be active at the ballot box next year and elect senators who will represent working families.”
It wasn’t all bad news in Lincoln. LB224 which would grant 12 weeks of paid maternity leave to all state employees was prioritized by Senator Dunixi Guereca (LD7, Omaha). Unfortunately, the Speaker did not schedule the bill for floor debate before adjournment, but the bill will retain its priority designation and should be debated next year.
Other key bills that the NAPE/AFSCME Government Affairs Committee testified on and monitored throughout the session can be found here. All of the bills that we support are still stuck in committee. Bills will carry over to next year’s sixty-day session. Delegates to the NAPE/AFSCME delegate assembly will discuss, debate, and update our legislative priorities in August.
