九色

State agency directors appointed by Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman got pay raises in July of at least 3 percent, with four directors getting more than that based on performance, Heineman spokeswoman Jen Rae Hein said.

Agriculture Director Greg Ibach, Banking Director John Munn, Insurance Director Tim Wagner and Policy Research Director John Munn received raises of 3.7 percent to 5.1 percent.

Heineman’s chief of staff, Larry Bare, got a 4 percent raise.

Heineman said last month that agency workers not covered by the state’s union contract should get 3 percent raises, primarily managers and temporary employees.

The raises come amid a dispute between the state and its union workers. The workers will not receive raises until the dispute is resolved, but will receive back pay and interest once a ruling is made by the Commission on Industrial relations.

The union rejected a state offer of a 5 percent raise each year for workers whose pay was below comparable workers in other states.

The union expects to get at least twice that because a special master has ruled that employees should get up to 10 percent in each of the next two years to reach comparability.

The union expects the commission’s ruling will be more in line with the special master’s decision than with the state offer.