The NAPE/AFSCME Board of Directors held its spring meeting at union headquarters in Lincoln on March 28, 2026. During a lengthy agenda, the Board prepared for our future by planning for major events and contract negotiations which will begin later in 2026.
The Board finalized a new process for union members to get involved in the contract negotiations process. Instead of electing delegates and setting negotiations priorities at a bargaining conference, our union will now host a “Contract Negotiations Summit” that will be open to all union members to participate in the development of our negotiations priorities. The Contract Negotiations Summit will be held July 31-August 2, 2026 in Lincoln. More details will be sent to union members in the coming months.
In other business, the Board heard a lengthy report from the Government Affairs Committee (GAC). The GAC shared successes from the 2026 legislative session including stopping LB1013/867 and preventing mass layoffs in the state budget. The GAC interviewed 41 candidates for Nebraska legislature and presented a report of the interviews to the Board. The Board took action on endorsement recommendations and will release a “voter guide” to members in mid-April.
The Membership Committee reported on the progress of our 4,000 Forward campaign. Membership hit another record high in March, with membership surpassing 3,800 members for the first time. The Membership Rights Committee presented pending grievances and legal cases our union is pursuing on behalf of members.
The Board had a first reading of our FY2027 budget, which will be balanced and focused on supporting the implementation of our strategic plan. The Board also planned for our summer organizing blitz to help us cross the 4,000 member mark when contract negotiations begin in September.
NAPE/AFSCME member LJ Vasquez (NDOT, Gordon) was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Board as State Agency Representative. The Board’s next regular meeting will take place on Saturday, May 30 at 9am at NAPE/AFSCME Headquarters in Lincoln. Board meetings are open to all union members to observe.