Nebraska state employees have ratified a new labor contract with the largest salary increases in at least 35 years
A majority of state workers will get wage hikes of 5% and 2% over the next two years, but there are increases of 10%-to-27% for critical and hard-to-fill positions.
Those include state accountants, social services workers, drivers license examiners, and snowplow drivers – workers who are in short supply as state wages lag behind the private sector.
Governor Jim Pillen and Nebraska Association of Public Employees union Executive Director Justin Hubly announced the approval of the labor agreement yesterday
Pillen issued a statement saying “We have a great team here at the state, and this agreement shows that we appreciate the incredible work they do for the people of Nebraska.”
The governor also said the wage hikes will help the state compete with the private sector in filing those high-demand positions.
Hubly agrees and says the largest raises since the labor union was organized in 1987 should go a long way toward resolving worker shortages in several state agencies.