LINCOLN- Last Friday, a three-member panel of the Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations, citing state statute, ruled that the "status quo" in working arrangements in Nebraska must continue until it can rule on an objection filed by the Nebraska Association of Public Employees, essentially halting Pillen's order to end remote working arrangements for state employees, at least for the time being.

The Commission rejected an argument by the Pilen administration that the "status quo" allowed it to return working arrangements to those that existed before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. "The Nebraska Supreme Court has defined status quo to be the employment status, wages, hours, or terms and conditions of employment, which existed prior to this dispute," the Commission's order stated.

Justin Hubly, executive director of the state employees union, said that he was pleased with the Commission's ruling, and that the labor panel recognized "the harm" that could ensure if Pillen's order went into effect. "We need to do all we can to attract and retain a new generation of public servants," said Hubly, citing statistics that suggest that one in every five state jobs is currently unfilled.

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