State labor court rules in favor of Pillen's return-to-office executive order

The Commission of Industrial Relations ruled Thursday that an executive order from Gov. Jim Pillen requiring most state employees to end remote work is fully under the governor’s authority.

The Nebraska Association of Public Employees, or NAPE, a union of more than 8,000 state government workers, claimed that it should have had the ability to bargain over the executive order.

In a statement, Pillen wrote, “Today’s ruling is a vindication of the state’s right to determine that its public servants will come into work where they can be most productive. The COVID-19 pandemic is long over, and it is likewise long overdue that our full workforce is physically back.”

NAPE executive director Justin Hubly said it will continue to stand up for workers rights and will not be intimidated by the ruling.

“Obviously, we're disappointed in the decision and disagree with it in its entirety,” he said. “We still believe that remote work needs to be negotiated. We feel that the evidence at trial showed that.”

Hubly said the union is currently considering its options, including appealing the case.

Under the State Employees Collective Bargaining Act, an appeal would go directly to the Nebraska Supreme Court.