Now
Partly Cloudy
28°
High
32°
Low
28°
Full Forecast

Jobs

Cars

Homes

Rentals

Alerts

Subscribe
Home > News > Politics
Bookmark Us   •   Make Us Your Homepage

Union wins wage dispute

Comments 90 comment(s)  
E-mail Story E-mail Story
Print Story Print Story
Share  Share
Text Size: 
Tools Sponsor

BY NANCY HICKS / Lincoln Journal Star

Tuesday, Aug 14, 2007 - 12:22:46 pm CDT

More than 9,000 state workers should get better raises than offered by Gov. Dave Heineman’s administration, the state’s Commission of Industrial Relations ruled Tuesday.

The commission sided with the union on the wages for the eight state employee bargaining units that had wage contract disputes.

Under the ruling, state workers would get up to 7.5 percent raises each of the next two years, if their wages are lower than salaries for comparable jobs in other states.

Story Photo
Gov. Dave Heineman

In addition, the employees would get 2.5 percent raises on their hiring anniversary date each year.

The commission upheld a decision by a special master, who found the state’s original offer of 2.5 percent raises each year did nothing to bring underpaid employees up to comparable wages with other states.

The state’s offer provided equal pay treatment for each employee but did not move state workers toward comparability, the standard set in state law, the ruling said.

That ruling will stand unless the state decides to appeal it to the Nebraska Supreme Court.

Tuesday morning, the state’s chief negotiator, Bill Wood, said he hadn’t had time to read the decision and had no comment.

All employees not covered by the union received a 3 percent raise at the beginning of the state’s fiscal year, July 1. Workers in the eight bargaining units covered by the wage dispute will get the raises, plus 7 percent interest, when the issue is finally settled, said Mike Marvin, executive director of NAPE/AFSCME Local 61.

The state’s labor negotiation process provides a specific appeal process when the union and administration can’t agree.

The first step is a decision by a special master, who chooses between the final offers. That can be appealed to the commission and then to the state Court of Appeals and Supreme Court.

The state had originally offered a flat 2.5 percent increase each year during the negotiation phase. The administration increased its offer, to adjustments providing as much a 5 percent a year increases, after the union appealed the special master ruling to the commission.

The union rejected those later offers because they provided employees less than they would receive under the special master ruling.


$1 Sunday Delivery - Subscribe Today!
Politics > Back to Top of Story

Post Your Comment

Standards and Rules
All posts to JournalStar.com are subject to our Terms and Standards.
Your posted comment will appear after it has been approved.
Frequently asked questions about story commenting.
(optional)
   
Hide Comments Hide Comments   Newest First Newest First  
Me Again wrote on August 14, 2007 12:40 pm:
" So let me get this right. State employees will be getting a 10% increase each year regardless if they do a good job or not? I'm not sure that is the best policy to have. I am against most worker unions, and this proves why. "

 Finally wrote on August 14, 2007 1:55 pm:
" All it took was the courts to show that Republicans don’t like to pay a fair wage. No wonder Nebraska is so far behind other states. "

 Working class wrote on August 14, 2007 1:56 pm:
" Unions are the only thing keeping the middle class afloat. "

 well wrote on August 14, 2007 2:11 pm:
" maybe if the state employees were paid what the job itself deserved, then the employee would have more incentive to do a good job. Watch the movie Cinderella, and see how well she did when she was treated fairly and properly. Its the same thing. "

 Not Over wrote on August 14, 2007 2:40 pm:
" I will predict that the Governor will not accept this and it will continue on to the Supreme Court. He is hoping that by the time this is settled, he is out of office and can brag on how much he saved the State during his term. As a tax payer, I am appalled at having to pay interest on raises that are going to happen anyway! Shame on Governor Heineman. "

 Glad to be gone wrote on August 14, 2007 3:06 pm:
" I hope the Governor fights this to the Supreme Court. The Legislature and the Governor decide what to pay its employees, just like business management decides what to pay their employees. With unions dictating terms that line their own pockets, it's no wonder government spending it so out of control. "

 WE DON'T GET MERIT RAISES wrote on August 14, 2007 3:15 pm:
" Would you people please think before you post. The state does not hand out merit raises. Period. They simply do not. "

 People think wrote on August 14, 2007 3:25 pm:
" For the people who want this to be taken to the supreme court, I hate to break this to you, but the process going on is exactly what the state agreed to do. It is the law. The state allowed and would accept a comparability study so if you want to blame somebody, blame the Governor or his predecessor. Think and read before you post my friend. "

 hey wrote on August 14, 2007 3:29 pm:
" The Legislature set up the pay guidlines and the govenor signed off on them so that they became a law. In the past the union has allowed the state to not follow the set in place guidelines because the state was running in the red. Now that there is a budget surplus the union is asking what is due employees under the law. You know, the law the govenor is trying to ignore. The only thing that is going to happen is that our current govenor is going to cost state taxpayers millions in interest payments on back wages he fairly owes state employees. "

 Lee wrote on August 14, 2007 3:44 pm:
" Good, now maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to afford my insurance. "

 not gonna happen wrote on August 14, 2007 3:46 pm:
" I work for the state, do the job of two people, I deserve this wage increase, so far any annual raise I have received has gone to the rising cost of insurance. I am currently in my thirties and the average age in my office is 55, this is because the young people that start here don't stay because of the little increase that we do get. Compared to the Federal salaries and LPS salaries, or even the county we don't get paid too much, we are lower than all three of those. "

 sorry wrote on August 14, 2007 3:53 pm:
" the legislature does decide how much to pay state employees. In fact about twenty years ago they put it into legislation exactly how future raises would be determined. Wages are to be paid that are comparable to the six surrounding states, over the last ten years or so the state hasn't kept up and a recent comparability study found that most jobs were around 15% lower than surrounding states and some were as much as 40% lower - and that's with benefits and total package considered (not just salary). So what this lawsuit was about was whether the gov's proposed increase met what was already in state law, and now it has been determined twice that it does not. "

 It gets better? wrote on August 14, 2007 4:06 pm:
" Glad to be gone, seeing how Nebraska is the worst when it comes to unions how could it be any better anywhere else? Just curious… "

 Interest wrote on August 14, 2007 4:08 pm:
" The longer they protest and take it to court, the more interest they are going to pay...which is the lesser evil. "

 Unions??? wrote on August 14, 2007 4:09 pm:
" If anyone is upset over this ruling then think again. Look at it this way, you have been getting a good deal for many years. I am not for higher taxes but employees should be paid an equal wage. "

 Glad you're gone wrote on August 14, 2007 4:10 pm:
" Yeah where has that got Americans today? Management lives off the fat of the working class while pension’s tank and greed is at an all time high. Great values, unions haven’t out lived their usefulness. "

 State Worker wrote on August 14, 2007 4:19 pm:
" Try living on the wages I make as a state employee. I have a bachelor's degree and 8 years experience in my field. I do a damned good job for the taxpayers of Nebraska. Last year my pay was $50 above the income limit to collect welfare (for a family of 4). That is pathetic. It's about time we are paid what we're worth. And "We Don't" is correct, State employees to do earn merit raises. What incentive to I have to continue working my butt off? Our health insurance premiums increase substantially more than the wage increases I get. That should be criminal. I have tried finding employment in the private sector, there isn't anything out there. "

 Well , Cinderella wrote on August 14, 2007 4:21 pm:
" It's not a movie, it's real life. Something you sound like you don't have. Give people who are here legally a fair wage. "

 Crazy wrote on August 14, 2007 4:41 pm:
" I may be crazy but employees should not be paid an equal wage....equal employees should be paid an equal wage...but slacker employees should be paid less than stellar employees...perhaps I wouldn't agree with that if I were a slacker employee...... "

 fair shake wrote on August 14, 2007 4:53 pm:
" I believe it was our beloved Governor Heineman who, on many occasions, has tried to keep Nebraskans, referring to our youth, in Nebraska. I think that the best way to do that is for Dave to show young Nebraskans how well the state treats its own employees. Good bye Nebraska youth. Hope you make an excellent life in Colorado, Wyoming, Missouri, etc. Go unions! "

 Blue Knight wrote on August 14, 2007 4:58 pm:
" Your article is inacurate on many fronts. 1st, the governor only offered the 3% raise to Management. He did so after offering 2.5% to those covered by the Union Contract. Just before the State and the Union went to the Commission of Industrial Relations, the governor offered up to 5% to all of the staff covered by the Contract. For Protective Services or those who work and guard inmates in the the State Prisons, he offered only 2% over all and up to 3% if the employees were not comperable. This looks good except it is less than he offered before the impass. So Protective Service employees would have received less than he offered originally. The rest of those covered under the Union Contract would also have lost money on the significant raise in Health Care Premiums alone. The governor chose and chooses to show distain for all State Employees. This is by the way how he treats his help. Watch and see how he treats the rest of Nebraska. Don't listen to his fine words, look at his dealings and actions. State Employees, remember these actions when you go to the polls. Remember to vote in all elections. Remember to vote when the governor comes up for re-election. State Senators, ask your gov how many State Employees he drove away from State Jobs? Ask him how short job sites all over the state are? Ask him what the turn over rate is for State Employees? Ask him what the turn over rate is at Vets Homes, Corrections, HHS etc? Ask him some real questions, and ask the questions in Public. "

 Jean wrote on August 14, 2007 5:09 pm:
" No, you didn't get it right. NO state employee will get a 10% increase per year. And darned few willl get the 7.5%. As it is the wages the employees get are the 50th lowest in the nation! (Well, except for the agency heads, of course. But Dave says you have to pay if you want good people in those positions. Apparently he only wants good people in the upper echelon.) "

 whatever wrote on August 14, 2007 5:20 pm:
" Heineman ought not pursue this to the Nebr. Supreme Court, with the corporate giveaways this state hands out these raises are the least we can do to keep qualified people in the state. It's interesting, in our local newspaper there is an add for prison guards in Tecumsah and for a prison in Wyoming. The Wyoming job at an annualized rate paid over 20 percent more than the Nebraska job! Wyoming has no income tax and their property taxes are significantly lower than ours. I know this because it is one of the states on my short list to move to when the last one graduates. "

 State Employee that serves you wrote on August 14, 2007 5:29 pm:
" It is about time that somebody put Dave Heineman in his place. State Employess deserve to be compensated fairly and this decision only reinforces that idea. Knowing how cheap Heineman is, he will take this to the State Supreme Court. As a state employee, I am not sure if I would like the Court to rule quickly which only reinforces the decision or take a long time and make Heineman squirm while he figures out how to pay the interest on the pay raises and then explain to the legislature and the taxpayers why his decisions will cost the state millions of dollars. He just might have to tap into his 700 million dollar "rainy day fund" "

 Pay vs. Benefits wrote on August 14, 2007 5:35 pm:
" Maybe the State should consider making these employees more productive by reducing the number of holidays (why the heck does anyone need Arbor day off? Presidents day??) and the overly-generous sick/vacation day. The private sector doesn't get that level of time off until after many years of service. Taxpayer money is flying out the window on these frivolous holidays. There are a lot of good state employees out there, but there are quite a few slackers that are settled in nice and neat in their position without any goal except to collect a paycheck. How many contractors are being paid $80 an hour or more? In the private sector, it's a rat race - you perform or you get replaced. Not so at the State - it's just out of control, and the good employees just don't tolerate the sludge that won't go away. Raising their pay won't change it - get an analyst who can really dig in and find the money pits, and clean things up so our taxpayer money is better spent. "

 Buggalo wrote on August 14, 2007 5:36 pm:
" We need to increase pay for all of our state employees. You constantly hear the teachers say, "Think of the children" when asking for more pay. Well, I say, "Think of yourself and the service provided by state employees" and say they should get that raise and more after being underpaid for years and constantly ranking in the bottom 5 states for pay. Stop hating and pay them what they deserve. "

 Happy Camper wrote on August 14, 2007 6:07 pm:
" Good job Bargaining team and Mike Marvin. "

 sesnick wrote on August 14, 2007 6:23 pm:
" Excellent. Higher taxes will no doubt follow to pay for these enforced raises while trying to maintain other state services which also (sincerely) desparately need more money. From where else does the bulk of money come to pay for state expenses... "

 RN with the City wrote on August 14, 2007 6:38 pm:
" I have to agree that the State employees really aren't making that much. If you ever look at the employment ads in the paper, you'll see that with a Bachelor's degree, they usually make under $30,000/yr-that's just slightly more than half what I make with the City with my Bachelor's in Nursing. It's pretty hard to expect them to really do their jobs only making that much. Even the RN's with the State only make $18-$20/hr (with experience)-for an RN, that's just ludacris! They work extremely hard with unbelievably difficult & demanding clients-I should know because I work with these same clients. Seriously folks, they deserve any raises they get! "

 Once again wrote on August 14, 2007 7:12 pm:
" The old and overused "look at all of the holidays they get" shows its' ugly head. (Not to mention the excessive sick/vacation days.) My spouse doesn't get Arbor Day or President's or Columbus Day or Veteran's Day off. But, she gets FIVE (5) personal days off on top of 5 weeks vacation. AND, she gets the day before Christmas off. On top of that she gets paid private industry rates! So don't you dare say there are NO private industry businesses that have benefits than the state. AND, we're using her dental and medical insurance because it's LOWER than the state's! State employees take a lot of crap from you people, and it's too bad because there are a lot of good employees in my area. "

 RMM wrote on August 14, 2007 7:34 pm:
" Reading the blogs on this article, I wonder how many of you that think state employees are lazy, or shouldn't be paid a comparable wage wrote your comments while at work? How many of you feel qualified to decide how many state employees should there be to work on our roads, inspect our bridges, provide public health response, or respond to an emergency? These people are just like you, are hard working, and provide a valuable service, and care about what they do. I'm sure that some of you are paid a comparable wage to other states, some not. It's your choice to move on and make a better wage if your skill set warrants. The state is experiencing the same thing. Have you looked at the job openings at our state 24-hr. facilities? The state can't hire quality nurses, physicians, and other professionals due to their low pay, and remember, you get what you pay for. These positions remain open, or may be eventually cut as a position and counted as "decreasing the number of public employees." Guess what, the work won't get done! The biggest kicker is that many of these positions are federally funded thru grants, so the money is there and is never used and just goes back to the Feds. State FTE levels have been cut, with work loads and state/federal requirements increasing even when the funding is there for additional positions to do the work. Here's some news, state employees wont decrease per se. There will be poorly paid contractors with minimal state control and benefits there to help take care of that friend or relative in a state institution. Some contracts costing more than what a state employee would cost, but hey, they're not "state employees" so that's ok. Bottom line, you get less than what you paid for as a taxpayer. As others have stated one way or another, how far will the Gov. to convince you he's right? and how much will it cost the tax payer to fight this battle. He'll come out as the guy that fought for the tax payer, but remember the cost of that fight is on the tax payer. And by the way, there was a 50M surplus this year... "

 clarence wrote on August 14, 2007 7:46 pm:
" In reading some of the comments, it appears that state workers feel that they are under paid. This is America--then shut up and go get a higher paying job with the private sector!!!!! (bet you will not have as good of benefits a you do now) "

 Blue Knight wrote on August 14, 2007 7:51 pm:
" Dear Pay vs Benifits. You seem to have found a line staff position that pays $80 per hour. I want one of those jobs. I am a current State Employee. Please let the rest of the State Employees in on what position that job is. You are correct that some state positions do pay $80 per hour. Those positions are called management. As for taxes going up, you might check out this web site for the surplus that the gov said he was going to have without a raise in taxes. That, by the way is your gov.who put the tax rate in place so the surplus would happen. He crowed about the surplus and took credit for the same. Still,the gov. also said on the pages of this web site, in a different article, that he could not afford to pay State Employees. Earlier, he said that management needed a large raise, a lot more than he gave to the line staffbecause they work a lot harder with the reduction of staff. You bet they do, directing other staff to do the work with less help. On another front, THREE CHEERS FOR THIS WEB SITE, YOU MANAGED TO SCOOP CHANNEL 10 & 7. They still have not put the news on their web site. 9,000 State Employees are not important enough even though those employees cover the state from top to bottom and side to side. In case you missed it, this is a form of print media, instant TV, or NEWS First, missed it. Thanks again for the assist. I wonder if Paul Feld will have a cartoon to add to the editorial comment? His last one was great! "

 JEN wrote on August 14, 2007 8:02 pm:
" Think what you like about us state workers deserving our raise or not, but I think it's shamefull that the state allows allows employees with a Bachelor's degree to be paid so little that they qualify for social services and free reduced lunches at school for their kids. At the rate I'm paid now, I don't make enough to cover my bills and student loan payments! This raise will definately help my family out immensley. And i would love it if we got merit based raises, I'm a hard worker and willing to give a lot to my employer. But why bother when I won't be rewarded for it? "

 Profile of a State Employee wrote on August 14, 2007 9:15 pm:
" I am a state employee. I obtained a Bachelors Degree while working at the state full-time and going to school at night because I wanted to be qualified to do more as a civil servent in state goverment and thought my hard work might eventually be rewarded (lol). Instead, I have been rewarded with this crap, for lack of a better way to state it here. I am not unique, like many state employees, I worked a full-time job at the state and a part-time job on weekends, e.g., low paying retail center, just to meet the cost of living due to low salaries and the increasing cost of insurance. Again, I am not unique, like many state employees, I accept lower salaries because I realize that thet mission of what I do as as a civil servant is more important than money. I am not unique, I realize a career in state government will not make me rich, however, I deserve to be treated with respect and earn a decent living wage that will allow me to keep up with the cost of living. I am not lazy. I am not unique, like many state employees, I believe in what I do, so I stay, even though I do two people's job and get paid no more than an entry level professional despite years of experience and tremondous increasing responsiblity because we are all "doing more with less" for the taxpayer. It is said you judge a society by how it treats those in need, but should you not also judge a society on how it treats its most dedicated who are our societal caretakers i.e.,nurses, social workers, educators, etc., etc. "

 Jack wrote on August 14, 2007 9:22 pm:
" Who did the comparable study, the union? One worker said they'd tried to get a job in the private sector and there aren't any. Instead of holding guns to the citizens head for money, why don't you get on your horses and yelp for getting in businesses & industry for jobs and tax receipts?? Ya all act like little kids, I want, I want. I sure didn't get big bucks either. Can't wait til you retire and have to live on $10,000 BEFORE insurance. I guess you've got LJS on you side cause the beggers are the only ones they are printing!!! "

 prison guard wrote on August 14, 2007 9:29 pm:
" Hum, what's worse? The 2.5% raise I recieved this year (and there are no merit or longevity raises here) or having my property taxes (or "reassessment on my property value") raised? Either way, I loose. "

 Shadow wrote on August 14, 2007 9:40 pm:
" I am curious as to who the jack-in-the-box will be that decides who gets what? Will it be the corrupt department heads that pick and choose their favorites based on rather or not the employee has a brain? I work a job that was advertised to require heavy graphics experience and an associate’s degree to get hired. after I got settled into the job, I looked up the current job specs for my job through the states site and discovered that the description they have on record is from 1979 and only asks for a high school education (says nothing about a diploma). All attempts to get the position reclassified has ended with me being pushed to the outside and alienated by management for "causing problems". Truthfully this raise means nothing to me because I really do not think they will give our group a dime due to the job descriptions we are held under. MORE to the point I think this state (everyone) has no ability to think rationally about anything and has an extreme inferiority complex being quite content to throw a fit if someone else gets something and they did not get it themselves. HENCE the reason I no longer want to live in this state. "

 Vernon wrote on August 14, 2007 9:51 pm:
" lets here it for the union. "

 RC wrote on August 14, 2007 10:16 pm:
" Nebraska state employee salaries rank near the bottom of the states. Nebraska local government employee salaries rank above the middle of the 50 states. Local government employees are paid from property taxes, State from sales and income tax (and 40% of that goes support local government spending). So why is there a problem with state salaries? "

 State employee wrote on August 14, 2007 10:26 pm:
" I am one of the state employees who did NOT get a raise under this because I am NOT ALLOWED to belong to the union. The unionized (and other) state employees have taken woefully inadequate raises for years, well below inflation, well behind comparable city and county jobs. Now that the state is flush (yes, it is) this is just a PARTIAL correction of past injustice. Way to go union! "

 Cat wrote on August 14, 2007 10:26 pm:
" Those who are condemning the 'money waste' and so on, keep in mind that all of this is actually part of the law. Which means that, at some point, legislators, elected by the public, made the rules the way they are. The union chose not to push it for a few years because of our 'big budget crunch'. If you don't like the law...talk to your legislators about changes. Most state employees would love to have raises based on ability and production. "

 DP wrote on August 14, 2007 10:39 pm:
" I'm glad I don't work for a union or the state. I like knowing if I do a better job than my fellow employees I will get paid more. I know unions are trying to help employees but it seems like they put limits on earning power and productivity. "

 Lonnie wrote on August 14, 2007 10:43 pm:
" This is ridiculus. Most of these so-called state workers spend most of the day sitting around the coffee pot watching tv in the break room. Have you ever tried to contact any of them by telephone?? Not a chance. They were already overpaid, and now we're going to give them 10% a year. What a country! "

 P. Robert wrote on August 14, 2007 11:51 pm:
" Having been a federal employee for almost ten years that was controlled by a union, I can safely say that 50% of the work force would not be hirable in the open market. Many would not be qualified to run the register at a quick stop let alone a job that required normal production. News Flash, the private sector does not receive annual merit increases. There have been no merit raises in the private sector for a long time. If you are such hard workers, you should want production based pay. You will find this in the open job market if you are good at what you do. The majority of people working for the state and the federal government can't make it in the private sector or they would already be working there getting paid what they are worth. If the wages are so bad and you are so good, the private sector will hire you. If it's so bad at the state, move on, I am quite sure someone will be happy to take your place. Whiners, thanks for all you do. "

 Hal wrote on August 15, 2007 1:49 am:
" I don't know how the state contract reads but ours sez you will recieve the raise only if you get a high enough score on your yearly evaluation. There are some that don't score high enough and they get no raise.When that happens you sure see a different employee. As resident of this state I want the people working for the state to get a fair wage but they need to earn it, not just handed to them because they show up to work. "

 mike wrote on August 15, 2007 5:37 am:
" unions are the only way to go if not for the union you would be makeing 5.00 a hr with no benfits. "

 Leonard wrote on August 15, 2007 6:40 am:
" There were years where State employees got no raises because the State was broke. Now the State is swimming with dead President's . Fair is fair . Give them the raises. "

 Mike in DC wrote on August 15, 2007 7:17 am:
" The problem is with wages in general. Housing is twice as much on the coasts, but one can easily make up the difference in wages--even Fed gov't employees. Are the unions going to allow the state to weed out underperforming employees, and those who's job is now obsolete ($$$ IT costs should lower administrative costs by elminating the need for paper-pushers--but guess what, unions force many of them to still be there). It's a mess, but until wages increase 25-30% across the board in Nebraska, you won't stop the brain drain--and you won't get many of the refugees who left after college back (with Nebraska's $$ investment in them). The retirees coming back to Nebraska aren't helping... the cost of living is increasing because of them. Working professionals (B.S. / M.S. Engineers, IT professionals, project managers) should be making 55-65K per year after only a few years in the workforce. On the coasts, you'll be making 80K in less than five--and that's enough to overcome the lower housing costs in NE and the midwest. State wages are poor across the board in almost all states, and the place it kills are the state universities--you're paying paper pushers that same that post-docs and highly skilled research technicans/assistants make! "

 JAZZY wrote on August 15, 2007 7:28 am:
" It makes may heart sore when so many of you people think so highly of State workers. As for watching tv on "break" that's what it is. A break for the job...away from the desk. Yes,there probably are a bunch of slackers but I don't think it's everyone. The wages do need a big fix. In 8 years with the state most people don't even hit the $10 level....and they have to pay insurance out of that..and heaven forbid if you are in the wrong zip code , you won't be able to get the cheaper program. The majority of the people are single with families and are trying to make ends meet buy working several part-time jobs. And guess what the state had an excess of $190 million from taxes...and maybe this is just a sprinkle om a rainy day. "

 Ed wrote on August 15, 2007 7:36 am:
" Time to spend some more tax payer money fighting this! That's how the governor is saving it for all of us. "

 Here We Go Again wrote on August 15, 2007 8:33 am:
" Amazingly, the State does have these elevated expectations of what they want their candidates to possess in terms of education and experience. In return, they pay little. A family of two can hardly survive on a double income let alone a family larger in size than that. Yet the State gets people who are willing to work extra hard to apply for the jobs they post and then TAKE THEIR SWEET TIME responding, if they do at all. Why does the State turn their noses up at qualified people when it really ought to be the other way around? "

 I work so you can get paid when you are unemployed wrote on August 15, 2007 9:06 am:
" As a state employee, I deserve a raise. I won't be getting a 10% raise as some of you seem to think. It would be nice, but it isn't likely. But I am there for all of those construction workers and plant layoffs that happen every year and flood the Unemployment office with claims. It takes good people to take these claims and finish these claims so those who are unemployed can get paid. It is hard coming to work every day helping disgruntled individuals who just lost their jobs, which means they may lose their lifestyle. We work very hard to process these claims in a timely manner to meet federal guidelines, while answering thousands of calls from claimants who expect a check a week after they claimed; when actuality it doesn't happen that quick. The work never ends. It is always there, and we get paid little for what we do. A person coming off the street can get hired for this position at the same rate that a seasoned employee who has been doing this job for 10 years is making. It really isn't fair. We deserve this raise, and I thank the union for going to bat for us. Without them, we wouldn't be able to afford to help the public as our insurance rates skyrocket every year. We don't make 80.00 an hour. Most of us make between 8.00 and 15.00 an hour. We aren't rich. Sure there are some slackers, and the rest of us pick up the work for them and run with it. You will find that in every job. Most state employees have second jobs to keep themselves afloat. With gas prices, taxes, food, and everything else going up, we deserve a raise just to keep up with everything else, otherwise, we will also be looking for help through another state agency, for food stamps, energy assistance, and other means to survive. It would be beneficial for the public to have a little more respect for what we do, for we are there to help you. We do deserve this raise more than you could ever fathom. "

 Dear Hal wrote on August 15, 2007 9:12 am:
" I am a state employee and I have always gotten excellent performance evaluations. I have a bachelors degree and many trade schools under my belt, but it doesn't matter how skilled or how well I perform my job in conjunction with my peers.....there is no raise. So if someone gets a bad performance review and doesn't get a raise, then what is the difference? "

 fairplay wrote on August 15, 2007 9:14 am:
" Jokes and complaints are always being made at the expense of government employees. Many of those jokes are now seen as "truths." Having had experience in government and private sector jobs, it is obvious that every workplace has their slackers. It is not limited to government jobs. Most employees in both situations are dedicated and hardworking. The idea that if they are unhappy state employees should get jobs in private sectors is a cop out.The state does lose highly qualified, employees, especially in positions that require BS and MS degrees to private sector jobs, usually to out of state jobs. This adds to the "brain drain" in Nebraska, which has been the subject of several studies. The dedicated employees who have ties to Nebraska and have chosen to work for the government should not feel forced to choose between working for and contributing to the well being of their home and picking up and moving to another state just so they can earn a decent wage. I know several state employees who put in an 8 hr day, skipping lunch. And this isn't enough...they go in early, stay late, and work weekends. Not because they are visiting around the lunch table or water cooler, but because they are shorthanded and the workload continues to increase and they are conscientious enough to want to do their best. And the idea that they might earn comp hourse to take at another time as they are needed is unreal. Yes their position may allow for that, but there is no time to use these comp hours because the work load never lets up. I would assume most of these employees would prefer to be paid least straight time for these extra hours (tho time and half would be appropriate) then banking all the comp hours that they will lose because there is no time to take them. Before we make general accusations about any group, we need to realize that the majority shouldn't be "punished" because a few take advantage. "

 You Do It wrote on August 15, 2007 9:33 am:
" All those of you complaining that the State employees have such cushy jobs with such great perks - why don't you go work for the state then? Stop whining about it and join up if the jobs are so good. "

 Yup wrote on August 15, 2007 9:33 am:
" I am glad the free market system is still working, that is until the republicans get their hands on it. In a free market, both sides negotiate the price of goods and services. Here the State negotiated with a group of employees for their wage. What is wrong with that? That is the free market system at it's finest. "

 Avg Taxpayer wrote on August 15, 2007 9:35 am:
" Sadly I am in the private sector of business and have 1 raise in three years, about $20 per month more (last year) for cost of living increase. I also work where there is no reward for productivity. All my co-workers know this and don't pull their own weight. I see this as "a sign of the time". Our overall economy has shrunk so much that ALL OF OUR REAL LIVING WAGES have flatlined or shrunk. Property taxes, gas, food, and everything else has dramatically risen except for the wages of the middle class, whether or not they work for the government. We need to look beyond pointing fingers who has the better benefit package and look at the bigger problem, our foriegn policies with China and the world! Times are tough all over, though I am proud to be an American! "

 tmstr 371 wrote on August 15, 2007 9:41 am:
" thank god for the unions!! "

 Mr. Know-it-all wrote on August 15, 2007 9:49 am:
" How do State Troopers, prison guards, social workers, highway crews etc. get job in the private sector?? I think some people only think about making money and taking from society. These people GIVE to society and are modern-day heros. They make the world a safe place so you can go out and do all that money grubbing that has made you so rich... "

 JRT wrote on August 15, 2007 9:58 am:
" You can blame the fact there is not merit/bonus pay on the union. God forbid someone worked hard and got a merit increase -- it may make the rest of the union look bad. The teachers union will not allow schools to pay good teachers more - why would state employees be any different. "

 THINK wrote on August 15, 2007 9:59 am:
" Think about this! Pay comparability to other surrounding states is a great idea. With comparability studies, neither the Union nor the State can gain the upper had. Your Nebraska civil servants will always get paid less for the same job. First comes the study then comes the pay. Unless you love politics, then you get what you pay for. Why did Heineman give his political appointees a 5.1% raise, the supervisors get 3%, and the production employees have to fight to get anything? "

 Answering Hal wrote on August 15, 2007 10:06 am:
" You had a good comment Hal. There is an evaluation program in the state, however you can not use it to increase the workers salary. It can be used to repromand an employee but not to increase their wages. You won't find this in writing but talk to some employees who have scored high on their evaluation and see how many got a pay increase for it. "

 kfrx wrote on August 15, 2007 10:25 am:
" should we talk about the great NIS system that was implemented that cost the state over 100 million bucks that still doesnt work?? raises are not the real issue "

 Move wrote on August 15, 2007 10:25 am:
" If other states pay more, move there - simple economics 101. When the state loses workers, they then should bump up the payscale for all workers to attract new workers AND retain existing workers. That's how a free market system and private business works, why should government be any different? Union membership doesn't see it that way and it costs us all money, regardless of if it's state union, teamsters, construction, or any type of union in my opinion. "

 Another State Employee wrote on August 15, 2007 10:35 am:
" I have been with the state over 20 years and due to hiring freezes, budget cuts etc., am doing the work of three indivdiuals. Last week I was informed that I am at 26% of payscale. Said for a veteran employee. What is more said, they are hiring at higher than us veterans are receiving for the fact that the state is not marketable in the wage competition. Our insurance has sky rocketed and people in Lincoln and Omaha were treated unfairly. I make $32/mo less due to insurance coverage. So in reality, I haven't "SEEN" a raise for sometime, when you think of all the utility hikes, gasoline etc. People complain about us getting raises...hey say something to State Farm and all their incentives, parties and trips---and you are paying with your premium. Look how LES, Aquilla, Time Warner has all increased. So why can't we??? "

 Misleading article! wrote on August 15, 2007 10:36 am:
" The article implies that every state employee will get a 10% raise in one year. Not true, some will not get a raise actually should not! In one particular agency, the IT employees are getting paid significantly more than an equivilant employee not in the IT department. So there is a major inequality within agencies. Some agencies like corrections are making salaries very similar to the surrounding states so they won't get anything. I don't understand why the governer has it in for state employees. You get what you pay for, if you don't pay a fair wage you'll get subpar employees which means the taxpayer ends up paying the price for an inefficently run agency. "

 Yet another state employee wrote on August 15, 2007 10:48 am:
" It is too bad that all state employees are judged by the actions of a few. Are there lazy state employees? You bet! However, the fear of litigation has made management afraid to deal with them. If there was a true merit system, perhaps good employees would be motivated to be great, and you could week out the yahoos. As it is, there is no external motivation to do a good job. Thankfully, there are many state employees who are motivated internally (inside their hearts and minds) to do a good job. Those are the ones who deserve to be treated fairly. I have worked for the state for just over four years, and I could leave tomorrow, go to work in a Colorado doing the same thing and make 20-30% more. Yes, the housing is higher, but the taxes and other cost of living factors are much lower. I hope the state doesn't waste all of our (yes, I even pay taxes too) time and money with another fruitless appeal. Incidentally, before someone complains, I'm off today because I work weekends, so I'm not posting this on the state's time. :) "

 whatever wrote on August 15, 2007 10:51 am:
" Actually many State of Nebraska workers do leave for better jobs in the private sector, the private sector outside the State of Nebraska, or they move on to government jobs in other states. Nebraska is just filled with very cheap business people and government entities. If you think taxes and wages are bad in this state now just keep "importing" retired folks and illegal immigrants and keep on exporting the young and educated. The birth rate in this state at one time was just high enough to keep us treading water, now the birth rate is so low, especially in the middle classes that we are losing ground exponentially each year in the demographics game. All of my kids are leaving this state, all of them. Each is, or will be college educated and have no desire to stay here as there is NO opportunity for them in their fields, coupled with among the highest taxes in the nation. As big as they state raises may appear, Nebraska is still way BEHIND the curve. "

 WHATEVER wrote on August 15, 2007 11:42 am:
" The STATE did the comparability study-- and the Union did their own to see if they came up with the same results, and they did. "

 JR wrote on August 15, 2007 12:00 pm:
" Some of us who work for the state of Nebraska do so, not for the money, but because we want to make a difference. We are not asking to be made rich. We are not asking for a handout. We are not even asking for "real world" wages. We are only asking we be paid what other "state" employees around us make. I am one of only a couple of people in this state that does what I do. If I left, the hiring training costs alone would quadruple any amount I might make with this decision. Let alone the quality of work will suffer for a year or more till the new person gets up to speed. The world is not black and white. I wish some of you people would realize that fact. "

 Think about it wrote on August 15, 2007 12:21 pm:
" I have worked for 3 years and my check hasn’t moved from the pay rate from when I started. Now my job duties have increased in the past year more than most of those in the private sector could even imagine, but the amount that I get paid through the state hasn’t moved. With the increase in insurance or tax, there is no way to win. Many of you should think about that before you criticize those who make sure you get your unemployment check, medical bills paid and your food stamps. "

 state employee wrote on August 15, 2007 12:36 pm:
" It's amazing how many people are against state employees getting a raise when they are working just like the rest of the people but I don't remember seeing any arguments being made over the Athletic Director at UNL getting a 16% raise--so he can now make a wage of close to $500,000 a year. Oh I forgot, it's Nebraska Football and nobody says anything bad about that. And I'm sure the Governor and his buddies have their season tickets! "

 don't like unions wrote on August 15, 2007 12:42 pm:
" to bad the state is not a private company and just fold up shop Like Good Year, Quebecor World , American stores. The unions have done real well in Lincoln-NOT "

 cio wrote on August 15, 2007 1:42 pm:
" Well, the good news is that our raises can't now be spent on the exchange migration! Because, that's exactly what the state needs, is to spend 210% (what's 10 million a year between friends) what we were spending on lotus notes per year for exchange. Oh, and that's not counting migration costs. "

 Overypaid lazy state employee wrote on August 15, 2007 6:23 pm:
" Regarding Lonnie's comment on how most state employee's are overpaid and lazy spending their time watching tv in the break room I'd like to say that maybe the real reason you can't get ahold of anyone is because we are doing two to three people's job at once. I for one don't get breaks ever, heck somedays I don't even get a chance to eat at my post which I am some how supposed to have time to do. No I spend my time outside in 110 degree weather making sure you are safe from murderers rapists and drug dealers, I get called things that you've never even thought of not to mention getting all sorts of bodily fluids thrown at me, and I put my life at risk every day to keep your's safe. So you see most of us are not watching tv all day we are working hard for substandard pay doing jobs you couldn't handle doing. Sorry that we think we deserve to be paid comparably to the surrounding states when some of our programs are in the top 10 of the nation and our pay is ranked 48th. "

 State Employee Number... wrote on August 15, 2007 7:22 pm:
" I'm one of those state employees that loves my job. I do work on weekends, average at least nine hours a day during the week, and am required to record only 40 hrs. per week because it cannot be shown that I work more than a normal work week. I do it because what I do is important, and in a flood, tornado, fire, pandemic flu event, bioterrorism attack, etc. You as the tax payer expect us to be prepared. Some will be too quick to blame the state for a lack of response in such situations. Currently, there are many of state employees from the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, Department of Roads, State Patrol, National Guard, State Fire Marshalls Office, and probably a few more agencies that are working thru the night to manage the fires in Northwest Nebraska. Be glad that we didn't hire private contractors to manage this. I'm not sure where these individuals would find a job in the private sector, but I'm sure as hell glad they chose to go into public service. "

 another lazy state worker wrote on August 15, 2007 7:50 pm:
" I have to agree I too am saving lives, children that is. I am being threatened, called names and told just where to go. Why do I do it?? Because I love it and it makes me feel all warm and gushy. The raise issue takes away from that only becuase our beloved leader, Govenor Heineman, thinks what I do is much less important. If he did think it was important I would be compenastaed and not penalized by those wonderful benefits everyone complains I get. I agree the benifits are good but I earn them, work for them, and pay handsomely for them. The next time you read about a child being injured or abused by a parent, thank a PSW and be thankful there is one that can do the job. Other workers make your state run, stop complaining and a little support would be nice, what do you expect tho it isn't at the top. Oh yeah and one more thing how about the restructuring that just happened and all the new letterheads, cards,and hours designing all of it. Give me a break, no just give me the raise. "

 ok this is what will happen... wrote on August 15, 2007 9:21 pm:
" The govenernor will apppeal to the disctrict court, he will lose. the governor will appeal to the supreme court, he will lose. The governor will toast the State of Nebraska employees as he accepts his new appointment in DC a and eats his $200 steak dinner. The taxpayers will pay 7% interest on three years of back pay when they could of just settled it all in 2007. Don't you just love politics? "

 Clueless! wrote on August 15, 2007 10:28 pm:
" Heineman is a disappointment! As a taxpayer I am not impressed, we will all pay dearly for his stubborness and his thoughtlessness to protect our government with good employees. Pay 'em their 2.5% and let's focus on other issues. "

 GIguy wrote on August 16, 2007 12:15 am:
" Thank you Journal Star for providing this forum. Omaha World Herald won't do it (somebody might say something controversial) and the Grand Island Independent dropped their "after article comments" cause too many people were not being responsible for their comments (or speaking their mind anonymously without fear of retaliation.) I love your newspaper and I love free speech! "

 don't tread on me wrote on August 16, 2007 12:34 am:
" ever wondered why a new car costs 30,000$. A new tractor 150,000$. Those GoodYear tires 150$? Unions!!!! They had their time and place. This is not the time and Nebraska is not the place. An as for comparability, the study lumped me in with people from other states that don't even come close to my job description. This union Negotiated out all of my healh insurance benefits. Come Jan 1,2008 i have to come up with 500$ to cover health ins permiums. Way to go union. The ONLY power a union has is to strike. It is against the law for us to do so. As for the governor, he is just doing what any "private sector" ceo is doing, getting everything he can get from his employees with the smallest amount of pay. Eveybody says that state employees are lazy and just cost taxpayers too much money. My position pays me 15.00$hr. In the private sector the same job pays 15.00$hr, however the business gets 80 to 100$ per hr. I think all of you who think we state workers cost you too much money, should be thankfull of the deal you are getting. I feel that I am not entitled to but I deserve a fair wage. At least for the money that I "save" the taxpayer of Nebraska "

 No Big Raise for Me wrote on August 16, 2007 8:08 am:
" That's all well and good for the Union and the people that they decided should get a raise, but I'm one of the people that they decided whose position didn't deserve a raise and so I'll be getting jack. I don't see how the Union can pick certain jobs to give raises to and us not in the out of comparability list get left out in the cold. "

 state employee spouse wrote on August 16, 2007 8:56 am:
" My husband has worked for the State for over 20 years. Our insurance costs have skyrocketed and we too can qualify for food stamps and reduced price school meals. How does that look? The state can't even pay us enough to make sure we're qualified for welfare. I've gone back to school to get a job that will support us and my husband can quit this job that is a joke? He works long hours in summer and winter making sure your roads are safe to drive on. How many of you can be found working in these sa