A trial before the Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations (CIR) began on January 8 in Lincoln to end a more than three-year-old contract dispute. Sixteen NAPE/AFSCME union members who work for the Richardson County Roads Department have not seen a pay raise since 2022 because the elected Richardson County Commissioners have refused to agree to a new contract.
The trial got underway with testimony from six NAPE/AFSCME union members. The members testified to their job responsibilities, work assignments, and how duties are assigned at the road department. Our members’ testimony will support the testimony of our expert witness on how jobs and wages should be compared to an array of seven other comparable counties.
Once our expert witness began his testimony, the attorney for Richardson County began objecting to each question that was asked of our witness. The objections were initially overruled, but the pace at which testimony was adduced ground to a snail’s pace. In order to address the county’s objections, the CIR continued the trial to March 16 & 17. Testimony will continue at that time with our expert witness, followed by an expert witness for the county.
In January, the County offered another settlement offer, which was the same settlement offer it previously gave to union members: a salary increase of 0% on July 1, 2023, 0% on July 1, 2024, and 0% on July 1, 2025. The county continues to demand the removal of a neutral grievance process, safety protections, and more.
Union members promptly rejected the county’s regurgitated offer, but again offered our own settlement proposal which can be viewed here.
On January 14, 2026, the Richardson County Commissioners voted to increase their own salaries by an additional 4% salary increase. Since 2022, the Commissioners have raised their own salary from $25,151 to $36,743 per year. That’s a 46% increase.
The position of County Commissioner is a part-time elected position which meets once per week for a few hours. The current starting salary for a full time roads department employee is $38,209.
Give the Richardson County Commissioners a call, and ask them why they deserve a 46% salary increase while their employees deserve 0%.
John Caverzagie – 402-419-9071
Rick Karas – 402-239-8228
Bob Campbell – 402-801-2919