Our Nebraska Department of Education contract negotiations team: Jeannie Chastain (Administrative Specialist, Lincoln), Adam Johnson (IT Applications Developer Senior, Lincoln), Katherine Knutzen (VR Senior Rehab Specialist, Columbus), and Dylan Lester (Office Associate IV, Lincoln) are in the very early stages of contract negotiations.
Our team has been laser focused during early negotiations sessions on the priorities that were set by our union members:
- Salaries that keep up with the rising cost of living
- Protecting our healthcare coverage and controlling costs
- Making NDE more efficient
- Remote work assignments where feasible
- Encourage retirement with incentives like higher sick leave payout
- Paid family leave to recruit a new generation of public employees
- Good governance & accountability with Artificial Intelligence
- Simplified disciplinary action procedures
The Department of Education’s initial salary proposal was to freeze the salary schedule with no base increase for two years, with a two percent salary step for satisfactory work performance in each year of the contract. The Department of Education health insurance plan is the same as negotiated by our State of Nebraska negotiations team.
Negotiations with the Department are just getting underway, and will continue later in November. For a full update on our progress at the bargaining table, watch a recording of our latest negotiations update here. You can also attend an upcoming update in-person or online. A full schedule is available here.
Contract negotiations will continue through December 31, or when a tentative agreement is reached. Union members must vote to accept or reject the tentative agreement. Not a union member? Join your union today and add your voice to the fight for a fair and equitable contract as we protect public services in Nebraska.