As Executive Director of the Nebraska Association of Public Employees (NAPE/AFSCME Local 61), Justin Hubly has helped revitalize union membership in Nebraska. In his conversation on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast, Hubly shared his approach to building union strength through grassroots organizing, expanding member benefits and shifting the public narrative about public sector employees.
When Justin Hubly arrived in Nebraska, the union was facing dwindling membership, hovering around just 950 members from a possible 8,000 public employees. To reverse this trend, he spearheaded a hands-on, statewide organizing campaign—traveling to all 93 counties and personally connecting with workers. By training volunteer member organizers and focusing on one-on-one conversations, membership has now surged to nearly 3,700, marking a powerful turnaround for labor in a state not known for its union density.
With a growing and engaged membership, NAPE has secured essential gains at the bargaining table. Hubly discussed recent accomplishments, including introducing six weeks of paid maternity leave, expanding catastrophic sick leave sharing, increasing shift differentials for key workers such as road maintainers and 911 dispatchers and defending contract rights. He said these wins show the tangible value of unionizing and demonstrate that collective action can make a real difference in members’ daily lives.
Nebraska’s legacy as the first So-Called “Right-To-Work” state and its traditionally low union membership have meant public employees often face negative stereotypes and political threats, like the proposed $500 million budget cuts. Hubly emphasized the importance of educating both members and the public about the essential roles state employees play—from maintaining roads to staffing veterans’ homes. By focusing on storytelling and messaging that highlights the value of these workers, the union is helping to change perceptions and galvanize support for public sector workers across the state.
To hear more about how organized labor is making waves in Nebraska and what’s next for NAPE, listen to the full episode of America’s Work Force Union Podcast.
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