LINCOLN- The Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations recently sided with Governor Jim Pillen's order to send state government employees who work remotely back to their offices. The commission was displeased with the union representing the employees, the Nebraska Association of Public Employees, calling their efforts pervasive and disingenuous. Pillen executed this order late last year, stating the pandemic was over and that employees should return to their workplaces.

After the employees' union immediately objected to Pillen's order, the commission put its implementation on hold until a decision was met. Leaders of the union are dismayed by the decision and have expressed their disappointment, emphasizing that it will exacerbate the problem of employment vacancies. Pillen believes that workers need to be present to be productive and professional.

On top of a disappointing ruling, NAPE is also having penalties imposed on them, requiring them to pay attorney fees that the state incurred during the legal battle. Union leaders are confused by the hostility of the court's decision, stating that the case was brought with good intentions. “Our union is a group of employees who’ve united together to protect the interests of all Nebraskans in this case,” executive director of NAPE Justin Hubly said.

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