Nebraska commission issues temporary relief of Gov. Pillen's return-to-work order

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – State workers can continue working remotely, for now.

Last month, Gov. Jim Pillen ordered an end to remote work for state employees.  They were ordered to return to their offices by Jan. 2.

the Nebraska Association of Public Employees – which represents over 8,000 employees – took legal action after the state refused to bargain over the changes.

The union then filed a petition with the Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations, alleging that the state violated the State Employees Collective Bargaining Act.

On Friday, the commission granted the union’s motion for temporary relief of the order while the trial is ongoing.

The case will proceed at a future date, but additional hearings are “unlikely” to take place before February 2024, according to the union.

“We are pleased that the CIR recognized the harm that would occur if the Executive Order was implemented on January 2,” said Justin Hubly, the union’s executive director, in a press release. “We believe the CIR’s action was appropriate under the law, and we are glad that the status quo will continue during the proceedings before the Commission.”

Earlier this month, a spokeswoman for Pillen sent a statement to Channel 8 regarding the return-to-work order.

“The directives outlined in Governor Pillen’s executive order remain unchanged,” the spokeswoman said.  “Our state’s public servants are a valued workforce and Nebraska taxpayers are entitled to optimal service delivery. Working from home, even in a part-time capacity, does not lend itself to efficient and financially responsible operations from the state.”

Despite the ongoing trial, the union said nothing is prohibiting the parties from negotiating and settling the case.

“Litigation is inefficient, costly, and rarely produces a winner,” Hubly said in the release.  “We hope the Governor will reconsider his position and meet with us to negotiate forward thinking contract language that benefits all Nebraskans, especially those who serve their communities each and every day. When we work together, everyone benefits.”