The NAPE/AFSCME Board of Directors held its regular meeting in August. The board tackled a lengthy agenda as we prepare for the uncertainties of the governor’s announcement to seek $500 million in budget reductions during the 2026 legislative session.
In regular business, our union’s fiscal condition continues to be strong having completed the 2025 fiscal year with a surplus. We have a balanced budget for the 2026 fiscal year which began on July 1. This marks our seventh consecutive year of balanced budgets. Membership is at a record high, and our site visits to distribute goodie bags in July led to 278 new members joining our union in July.
The board heard a lengthy membership rights report reviewing all the important legal cases and grievances that our union has pending representing members across the state. We have continued to have great success in cases before arbitrators, and have not lost an arbitration case in over a year.
A lengthy discussion and planning session was held regarding the governor’s proposed budget cuts. The governor said publicly that if the legislature implements the budget cuts, some state jobs will be eliminated, leading to the layoff of our union members. The board discussed our response, and referred the detailed planning to the executive committee.
The board approved a new four-year contract with our NAPE/AFSCME Staff Union, and we look forward to welcoming new staff in the coming months. The board feels that the new contract will help us attract and retain staff to help us implement our strategic plan for years to come.
The board also adopted routine budget amendments, appointed delegates to the Nebraska State AFL-CIO constitutional convention, and adopted updated policies. The board’s next regular meeting will be held at NAPE/AFSCME headquarters on Saturday, October 18 from 9am-3pm. Board meetings are open to all NAPE/AFSCME union members to observe.