Members of the state’s employees union have ratified a new labor contract that contains the highest salary increases in more than 35 years.
The Nebraska Association of Public Employees (NAPE) represents more than 8,000 government employees. Under the new two-year contract, union members will receive raises ranging from 10% to 27%. The contract will take effect July 1 and run through June 30, 2025.
NAPE Executive Director Justin Hubly previously said these are the highest salary increases state employees have received since the State Employees Collective Bargaining Act passed in 1987, establishing the union’s right to negotiate contracts with the state.
On July 1, minimum salaries will increase by either 5%, 10%, 15% or 20%, based on job classification, according to the union. Additionally, employees who had a satisfactory performance evaluation in 2022 or completed initial probation by Dec. 31, 2022, will advance two steps on the salary schedule, which equates to a salary increase of 7% to 22%.
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On July 1, 2024, minimum salaries will increase by an additional 2% and members who had a satisfactory evaluation the previous year will advance three steps on the salary schedule.
NAPE members previously said raising wages was the top priority for the new contract as many state employees are struggling to make ends meet as the cost of gas and groceries rises while their pay remains the same.
Photos: The business of governing in Nebraska in 2023
The reception area to the Governor's Hearing Room at the Capitol begins to fill up as lawmakers gather for the announcement of who will fill Nebraska's open Senate seat on Jan. 12.Â
Gov. Jim Pillen has asked for help in naming a pig statue in the reception area to the Governor's Office at the Capitol. The pig is a nod toward Pillen's career as a hog producer.
Gov. Jim Pillen (left) announces the appointment of former Gov. Pete Ricketts to become Nebraska's next senator. Ricketts' wife, Susanne Shore (right) was among those gathered for the announcement Thursday at the Capitol in Lincoln. The vacancy came open with the departure of Ben Sasse, who will become the next University of Florida president.
Sen. Jen Day of Omaha hands off papers to Clerk of the Legislature Brandon Metzler during a bill introduction period Thursday. On Friday, Day introduced a bill that would eliminate life sentences for juveniles.
Index clerk Carol Koranda (left) accepts papers from a senator during a bill introduction period for the new Legislature on Jan. 5 at the Capitol in Lincoln.
Military personnel stand near the entrance of the west chamber as inauguration ceremonies begin Jan. 5 at the Capitol in Lincoln.
Gov. Jim Pillen and his wife, Suzanne, shake hands as they exit the chamber following his inauguration on Jan. 5.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen shakes hands with Attorney General Mike Hilgers on Thursday. Both were sworn in during ceremonies at the Capitol in Lincoln.
A camera flash illuminates newly elected Gov. Jim Pillen (center left) as he is escorted through the rotunda to the West Chamber to be sworn in on Thursday at Capitol in Lincoln.
Newly elected Gov. Jim Pillen gives remarks following his inauguration on Thursday at the Capitol in Lincoln.
Sen. John Fredrickson shows his son, Leon, around the Capitol as the Legislature opened its 2023 session on Wednesday.
Senators gather in the chamber on the first day of the 2023 session on Jan. 4.
A new senator wears their legislative pin on the first day of the 2023 legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln.
Sen. Merv Riepe sets down his notebook ahead of the first day of Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln.
Elected senators are sworn in on the first day of the new Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln.
Senators tally votes during Wednesday's election of the Education Committee chair. Senators who have supported ending secret balloting for committee chairs opted to delay consideration of the rules change until later this month.
The 2023 Nebraska Legislature is called to order on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln.
Kristina Konecko, an administrative aide for Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte, boxes up items at his old desk Tuesday at the Capitol. The new session begins Wednesday.
Gov. Jim Pillen speaks at his inaugural ball in Omaha on Jan. 7.
Those in attendance on the first day of the 2023 Legislature stand for the National Anthem on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln.
Senator Jana Hughes on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln.
Senators gather to listen to Gov. Jim Pillen deliver his State of the State address on Wednesday at the Capitol.
Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon rubs his eyes while listening to floor comments on Jan. 25, 2023, at the Capitol.
Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln has children's drawings on her desk at the Capitol.
Gov. Jim Pillen delivers his State of the State on Wednesday at the Capitol in Lincoln.
Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln listens as Gov. Jim Pillen delivers his State of the State on Wednesday at the Capitol.
A Judiciary Committee hearing on Jan. 26 drew a crowd to the Capitol. Among the bills being heard was LB77, which would remove the requirement that gun owners obtain a permit to be able to carry a concealed weapon.
Sen. Justin Wayne (left) of Omaha laughs while giving instructions regarding testifying before a Judiciary Committee hearing on Jan. 26 at the Capitol.Â
John Lee (left), an opponent of LB77, open carries his great-great grandfather's musket outside a Judiciary Committee hearing on Thursday at the Capitol. "This is the only arms that they knew of when they were writing the Constitution," Lee said. LB77 would remove a requirement that gun owners obtain a permit to be able to carry a concealed weapon.
People line up before a Judiciary Committee hearing on Jan. 26 at the Capitol. Among bills being heard were one from Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon that would remove the requirement that gun owners obtain a permit to be able to carry a concealed weapon.
A proponent of Sen. Tom Brewer's concealed carry bill (LB77) wears a Gadsden flag shirt outside a Judiciary Committee hearing on Jan. 26. The bill would remove the requirement that gun owners obtain a permit to be able to carry a concealed weapon.
Members of the First Nebraska Volunteer Infantry -- Ron Rockenbach (from left), Gage Stermensky, Paul Hadley, David Smith and Keith Rockefeller -- guard the Abraham Lincoln statue on the west side of the Nebraska Capitol on the 214th anniversary of his birthday on Sunday.Â
Sen. Justin Wayne reacts during a testimony on LB575, also known as the "Sports and Spaces Act," during a hearing in front of the Education Committee at the Capitol on Monday.
Ben Jackson speaks in favor of LB575, also known as the "Sports and Spaces Act," during a hearing in front of the Education Committee at the Capitol on Monday.
Opponents gather at the Nebraska Capitol Wednesday ahead of a rally to voice opposition to a bill seeking to limit when abortions can be performed. Lawmakers heard from a large contingent of supporters and opponents during a public hearing later in the day.
Sen. Pete Ricketts talks with supporters in front of the Nebraska State Capitol prior to the Walk for Life rally in downtown Lincoln on Saturday.
Walk for Life participants gather at the state Capitol on Saturday before marching to the Nebraska Union.
Patrick Mediner (from left), Ben Haus, JP Mattern, Ben Maly, Thomas West, Keaton Weiman, Ajay Sealock, Morgan Armagost and Mason Beck stand shirtless with painted chests at the Walk for Life on Saturday.
A sign for the Nebraska Walk for Life sits on front of the Nebraska State Capitol on Saturday.
Notes for a speech in favor of LB575, also known as the "Sports and Spaces Act," rest on the ground during a hearing in front of the Education Committee at the Capitol on Feb. 13.
Juniper Meadow, a trans woman and minister, speaks in opposition of LB575, also known as the "Sports and Spaces Act," during a hearing in front of the Education Committee at the Capitol on Monday.
Gov. Jim Pillen (left) and former Gov. Pete Ricketts laugh during the announcement of Ricketts' appointment to Nebraska's open Senate seat. The vacancy was left open by the departure of Ben Sasse, who will become the next University of Florida president.
Gov. Jim Pillen (center) talks with Sens. Bruce Bostelman (left) and John Lowe before a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Camp Ashland on Friday. Breaking a long-standing tradition, Pillen is not releasing his event schedule, which in the past would have included events such as the one Friday.
