NAPE/AFSCME member Adam Schmidt proudly served our country for over 15 years, and now he proudly serves his fellow Nebraskans at the Department of Correctional Services.
“I’ve been in radio communications for over 25 years. I started out in the military doing radio communications then transitioned into the civilian side of things,” Adam said. “I guide, direct and manage radio communications within the Department of Corrections and help folks determine how to interoperate with other facilities. Our folks are very focused on what they do, so I make sure their radio communications align with their specific needs.”
As a retired military veteran, Adam is eligible to receive a monthly stipend, negotiated in our union contract, for utilizing health insurance through the TRICARE program. Because of his military service and health insurance arrangements, he qualifies to receive the stipend.
“I was talking with a coworker about health insurance. He mentioned that I should be getting a stipend as a retired military member, but I wasn’t receiving that so I reviewed the information in our contract. DAS had different requirements than what are in our contract, but I went ahead and applied because I was qualified. However, I was denied the stipend,” Adam said.
That’s when Adam realized he needed to speak to his union representative. “I realized I needed to go to my union because there was a difference between what I was being told and what my rights are under our contract. I spoke with my union representative, and they were incredibly helpful during the process,” Adam said.
Together, Adam and his union representative filed a grievance to enforce our contract. Adam won, and now he receives his TRICARE stipend. If you think our contract may be violated, reach out to your union representative right away!