1011now.com · Matthew Mittlieder · September 9, 2026
NAPE looks to protect benefits, increase pay to address turnover amid contract negotiations
# NAPE looks to protect benefits, increase pay to address turnover amid contract negotiations
The union said that as the state faces a structural budget deficit in the hundreds of millions, they’re aiming to protect public services during negotiations.(1011)
By Matthew Mittlieder
Published: Sep. 8, 2026 at 9:38 PM CDT| Updated: 18 minutes ago
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - The Nebraska Association of Public Employees (NAPE) held a rally on Tuesday to mark the beginning of contract negotiations with the state.
The new contract will run concurrently with the state’s next biennium budget cycle from July 1, 2027 to June 30, 2029.
The union said that as the state faces a nearly $1 billion dollar structural budget deficit in that time, they’re aiming to protect public services during negotiations.
Executive Director Justin Hubly said this negotiating session, workers are fighting for protections to their health care coverage and competitive wages that keep up with the cost of living, while also proposing ways that they say would help make state government more efficient.
Hubly adds that the state has an annual turnover rate of 20% for frontline state jobs, which would be addressed by these changes.
“One out of five state employees leaves every year and so we want to do everything we can to help retain them,” he said. “First and foremost it’s got to be the salary, but making their lives a little bit better, whether that be a remote work assignment or paid paternity leave or maternity leave, would certainly encourage a younger generation of state employees to come in.”
According to statute, negotiations can last until Dec. 31, when NAPE and the state will have to agree on a contract.
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