The NAPE/AFSCME Board of Directors held its regular meeting in Lincoln on May 30. In accordance with our bylaws, Treasurer Amy Peters (DHHS, Lincoln) and Executive Director Justin Hubly presented the Board with a proposed budget in advance of the 2027 fiscal year which begins on July 1, 2026. For the eighth consecutive year, the Board adopted a balanced budget.
“Our budget reflects our values and our strategic plan,” Peters said. “We continue to focus our resources on negotiating the best wages and working conditions, defending our rights in court, educating our members to grow leaders, and protecting public services.” Hubly added, “Our financial position remains strong because our leaders are focused on our members’ priorities.”
The full budget is open for inspection to union members at NAPE/AFSCME headquarters.
The Board filled a vacancy for Northern Area Representative by appointing Sean Vilmont (NDOT, Fremont). Sean is a Highway Construction Technician III and has served as a union steward and a delegate to the NAPE/AFSCME Delegate Assembly. Sean was sworn in by NAPE/AFSCME President Melissa Schmid (DHHS, Fremont) and will serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.
The Board spent time planning for contract negotiations which will begin later this summer. The Board discussed our ongoing town hall meetings, prepared for our Contract Negotiations Summit which is open to all members and will take place July 31-August 2, and finalized details for upcoming leadership trainings, which are also open to all members.
The Board heard a lengthy report from the Membership Rights Committee as we have dozens of pending legal cases at the State Personnel Board, District Court, Court of Appeals, and Nebraska Supreme Court. The Membership Committee reported our membership reached another record high as we have surpassed 3,800, and the Election Committee reported on the results of our AFSCME convention delegate election.
In other business, the Board established a new scholarship fund in cooperation with the Nebraska AFSCME Retirees. The fund will be named the Mike Zgud Memorial Scholarship Fund, in honor of past NAPE/AFSCME President Mike Zgud who passed away this spring. The Recognition Committee will develop the scholarship eligibility requirements later this year, and the first scholarship will be awarded to the child of a NAPE/AFSCME member next year.
NAPE/AFSCME Board of Directors meetings are open to all union members to observe. The next Board meeting will be held on Sunday, August 2 at 1pm during our Contract Negotiations Summit at the Cornhusker Marriott Hotel in Lincoln (333 S. 13th Street).