Our Nebraska State College System negotiations team: Robert Dean (Peru), Kelly Overshiner (Chadron), and Brandon Ziska (Wayne), have been at the bargaining table this fall focused on our priorities including salary increases that keep up with the rising cost of living, greater leave benefits, and protections surrounding the use of Artificial Intelligence.
Our early bargaining sessions have seen significant discussion regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence. We are fighting for protections that include ensuring AI use is monitored by humans, that decisions are made by humans, that members displaced by AI use are provided training and new skills so jobs aren’t lost, and that our data and privacy are protected. While no tentative agreements have been reached, the teams have had substantive discussions.
The State College System has not provided a salary proposal to date, but we expect a proposal to come in early November. The College System has proposed eliminating early retirement insurance incentives and the ability to payout some earned comp time. Our team remains committed to negotiating salary increases that keep up with the rising cost of living.
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.