State labor court hears arguments over requested delay in Pillen's order to end remote work

[Omaha Steve]

Members of the Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations — a state labor court — heard arguments Thursday over whether Gov. Jim Pillen’s order to end remote work should be suspended. Pictured are commissioners William Blake, center, and Dallas Jones, at right. A third member of the panel, Patricia Vannoy, was ill and could not attend. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)

https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/21/state-labor-court-hears-arguments-over-requested-delay-in-pillens-order-to-end-remote-work/

Union says ‘chaos’ will ensue if scheduled Jan. 2 order goes into effect as scheduled
By: Paul Hammel - December 21, 2023 5:39 pm

LINCOLN — A state labor court on Thursday took under advisement a request by the state employees’ union to delay an executive order by Gov. Jim Pillen to end most remote or hybrid work arrangements by Jan. 2.

Such an order, union representatives argued Thursday, would create “chaos” for state workers and the taxpayers they serve because of adjustments employees would have to adopt quickly or because of an expected exodus of workers to private jobs that allow working from home.

Justin Hubly, executive director of the Nebraska Association of Public Employees, said that more than one out of every five state jobs are already vacant, and ending remote working arrangements would exacerbate the labor shortage.

“That’s a scary number,” Hubly said of the vacancy rate.

FULL story at link above.