Nebraska's largest union prepares for contract negotiations with the state - KETV

ketv.com · John Grinvalds · September 7, 2026

# Nebraska's largest union prepares for contract negotiations with the state - KETV

Author: John Grinvalds Published: 2026-09-07T23:33:00+00:00 Source: ketv.com (ketv.com) Language: en

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# Nebraska's largest union prepares for contract negotiations with the state

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Updated: 6:33 PM CDT Sep 7, 2026

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Nebraska's largest union prepares for contract negotiations with the state

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Updated: 6:33 PM CDT Sep 7, 2026

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LINCOLN, Neb. —

Nebraska’s largest union will begin contract negotiations with the state this week as a directive from Gov. Jim Pillen to cut spending looms overhead.

Justin Hubly, executive director of the Nebraska Association of Public Employees, will serve as the union’s chief negotiator, representing about 8,000 state workers.

Hubly said Labor Day means more than just the end of summer.

"I think it's important to remember that, you know, everything we've won, whether it's the weekend, the 40-hour workweek, it's because union members united for big fights over the years," Hubly said.

Hubly and his colleagues are gearing up for what could be another big fight as Pillen has directed state agencies to cut spending by 5% this fiscal year on top of a significant projected deficit in the coming years.

“There’s going to be some belt tightening with the income tax rates dropping,” Sen. Robert Clements, who chairs the Legislature's Appropriations Committee, said.

In July, Pillen told KETV that cutting costs is a key priority.

“We run government like a business,” Pillen said. “As you improve your services, you increase throughput, you decrease costs.”

Hubly said NAPE wants to work with the governor to find ways to save taxpayer money, including expanding remote work opportunities.

“The goal here is to have an efficient state government that actually serves the people, and we can’t do that just by cutting,” Hubly said.

Hubly said previous rounds of cuts have increased workloads for state employees and contributed to a turnover rate of about 20%.

Health insurance also will be a major issue in the negotiations as premiums increase, Hubly said. The union also plans to push for wage increases that keep pace with the cost of living.

“It's concerning, of course, the budget situation," Hubly said. "But at the same time, our members have spoken pretty loudly and clearly that without wage increases that keep up with the rising cost of living, it won't be something we can agree to."

Negotiations are scheduled to begin in the middle of the week and are expected to continue through the end of the year.

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