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As nearly 600 workers seek new jobs, Nebraska employees' union renews demand to bargain

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A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

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As nearly 600 workers seek new jobs, Nebraska employees' union renews demand to bargain

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The labor group representing thousands of state employees renewed its demand to bargain Thursday over Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen's order requiring the state's workforce to return to the office full time starting in January.

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Hubly

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Download PDF NAPE letter to Pillen's administration

Read the Nebraska Association of Public Employees' renewed demand to bargain over Gov. Jim Pillen's order returning state employees to the office fulltime. Nebraska Association of Public Employees

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Photos: The business of governing in Nebraska in 2023

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.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Christ Lincoln Schools fourth grader Hudson Parr (right) rides the metal pig statue named Petunia as Gov. Jim Pillen watches on March 1. 

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

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. 

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

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.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

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 Jan. 12 at the Capitol in Lincoln. The vacancy was created with the departure of Ben Sasse, who will become the next University of Florida president.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Gov. Jim Pillen speaks at his inaugural ball in Omaha on Jan. 7.

ANNA REED, Omaha World-Herald

Sen. Jen Day of Omaha hands off papers to Clerk of the Legislature Brandon Metzler during a bill introduction period Jan. 5. 

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

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.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Military personnel stand near the entrance of the west chamber as inauguration ceremonies begin Jan. 5 at the Capitol in Lincoln.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Gov. Jim Pillen and his wife, Suzanne, shake hands as they exit the chamber following his inauguration on Jan. 5.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (left) shakes hands with Attorney General Mike Hilgers on Jan. 5 after swearing-in ceremonies at the Capitol in Lincoln.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

A camera flash illuminates newly elected Gov. Jim Pillen (center left) as he is escorted through the Capitol Rotunda to be sworn in on Jan. 5.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Newly elected Gov. Jim Pillen gives remarks following his inauguration on Jan. 5 at the Capitol in Lincoln.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha shows his son, Leon, around the Capitol as the Legislature opened its 2023 session on Jan. 4.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Senators gather in the chamber on the first day of the 2023 session on Jan. 4.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

A new senator wears a legislative pin on the first day of the 2023 session on Jan. 4.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Sen. Merv Riepe sets down his notebook ahead of the first day of Legislature on Jan. 4 at the Capitol in Lincoln.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Newly elected senators are sworn in on the first day of the session on Jan. 4 at the Capitol in Lincoln.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Senators tally votes during the election of the Education Committee chair on Jan. 4. Senators who have supported ending secret balloting for committee chairs opted to delay consideration of the rules change until later this month.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

The 2023 Nebraska Legislature is called to order on Jan. 4 at the Capitol in Lincoln.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Kristina Konecko, an administrative aide for Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte, boxes up items at his old desk Jan. 3 at the Capitol on the day before the new session was to begin.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Those in attendance on the first day of the 2023 Legislature stand for the National Anthem on Jan. 4 at the Capitol in Lincoln.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward on the first day of the 2023 legislative session on  Jan. 4 at the Capitol in Lincoln.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Senators gather to listen to Gov. Jim Pillen deliver his State of the State address on Wednesday at the Capitol.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon rubs his eyes while listening to floor comments earlier this year at the Capitol.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo

Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln has children's drawings on her desk at the Capitol.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Gov. Jim Pillen delivers his State of the State on Wednesday at the Capitol in Lincoln.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln listens as Gov. Jim Pillen delivers his State of the State on on Jan. 25 at the Capitol.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo

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.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Sen. Justin Wayne (left) of Omaha laughs while giving instructions regarding testifying before a Judiciary Committee hearing on Jan. 26 at the Capitol. 

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

John Lee (left), an opponent of LB77, open carries his great-great grandfather's musket outside a Judiciary Committee hearing on Jan. 26 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.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

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.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

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.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

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. 

LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star

Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha 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.

LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star

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.

LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star

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.

ERIN BAMER, Omaha WORLD-HERALD

Sen. Pete Ricketts talks with supporters in front of the Nebraska State Capitol prior to the Walk for Life rally in downtown Lincoln on Jan. 28.

LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star

Walk for Life participants gather at the state Capitol on Saturday before marching to the Nebraska Union.

LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star

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.

LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star

A sign for the Nebraska Walk for Life sits on front of the Nebraska state Capitol on Saturday.

LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star

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.

LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star

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.

LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star

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.

KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star

Gov. Jim Pillen signs a copy of LB574 on Monday the Capitol.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

State Sens. Machaela Cavanaugh (from left), Megan Hunt, Kathleen Kauth, John Fredrickson, Wendy DeBoer, Mike Jacobson and Lou Ann Linehan watch the board during the final votes on LB574 on Friday at the Capitol. The bill limits gender-affirming care for transgender youth and bans abortion after 12 weeks.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

State senators applaud as Gov. Jim Pillen speaks to close out the 108th Legislature on Thursday at the Capitol.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Speaker John Arch of La Vista told senators on the final day of the 2023 legislative session that he hoped the year “would be an aberration, not a predictor of the future.”

Journal Star file photo

Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward, who received this raccoon hat from Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordo, talks to other senators on Thursday, the final day of the legislative session.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Grace Jacobson of Lincoln holds a rainbow umbrella over a coffin prop in front of the Governor's Mansion on Thursday, the final day of the legislative session.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Gov. Jim Pillen greets state senators before speaking at the close of the 108th Legislature on Thursday at the Capitol.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

State Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon (center) and others clap hands as Gov. Jim Pillen speaks to close out the 108th Legislature on Thursday at the Capitol.

JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star

Reach the writer at 402-473-7223 or awegley@journalstar.com. On Twitter @andrewwegley

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