FALLS CITY – Nebraska Association of Public Employees organized a public forum in Falls City Thursday to highlight the plight of road workers and call on Richardson County commissioners to avoid a costly trial next month with a state labor commission.

Justin Hubly of the union told about 50 people who gathered at Prichard Auditorium that workers were hearing comments in 2022 they could receive a wage increase if they dissolved their labor union. The workers instead asked for the union’s help to ensure fair labor practices leading to a negotiation stalemate. Workers have not had a raise in over two years and are currently working on an expired agreement.

Hubly: “I think you have at least two commissioners who have been very stubborn about being willing to resolve this dispute. They say either they can’t resolve the dispute or it’s in the union’s hands and just aren’t willing to come to the table and reach a fair agreement.”

Hubly said the county board wants the workers to give up safety agreements, their grievance procedures and wages that are set by state law.

Hubly: “We can keep the current contract in its exact form with an appropriate pay raise and we’ll have this settled tomorrow.”

The Flatwater Free Press reports that 16 of Nebraska’s 93 counties have a unionized roads department and NAPE President Melissa Schmid said she does not expect union-busting tactics to be effective.

Schmid: “We work together and that’s what we want to do. In this situation we want to work with the commissioners to find a resolution and that’s where we’re at right now.”

Hubly said the forum was a success in terms of informing the public.

Hubly: “I think the men who work for the Richardson County Roads Department are keeping us all safe. They are keeping the roads plowed. They are keeping them well maintained to the best of their ability, but they are not fully staffed because the wage isn’t high enough.”

Hubly said the union is reaching out to commissioners about settlement negotiations to increase wages by $2 an hour for three years, but is not receiving a response from the county.

He expects the county’s legal expenses to already be in the range of $140,000 and said fees could double if the case goes to trial.