If § 48-811 were the only provision relevant to this discussion, then the argument made by MAT might be correct.  However, § 48-811 is not the only authority. Section 48-816 provides in part: "The commission shall have power and authority upon its own initiative or upon request of a party to the dispute to make such temporary findings and orders as may be necessary to preserve and protect the status of the parties, properly and public interest involved, pending final determination of the issues."  (Emphasis supplied.) MAT argues that § 48-816 is nothing more than a repeat of § 48-811. However, a simple reading of the statute makes it clear that such could not be the case. In the first instance, the reference in § 48-816 is to "parties." Certainly this cannot mean the employer. Obviously, the employer is not concerned that the employee will discharge the employer. Therefore, if the CIR has authority to make temporary orders to protect "the status of the parties," it obviously must have authority to do something more than simply make sure that the employer does not fire the employee, as referred to in § 48-811. And, likewise, protecting the property and public interest obviously means something more than preserving the employment status.  It may very well be that it is in the public interest to be assured that public employees, who do not have the right to strike or hinder, delay, limit, or suspend the continuity or efficiency of governmental services, should continue to receive their previous salaries or be afforded the same terms and conditions of em­ployment while the employer, the employee, and the CIR attempt to resolve the differences.  See Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-821 (Reissue 1978).  Whatever preserving and protecting the public interest may mean, it obviously means something more than simply preventing the discharge of a public employee by a public employer.

Furthermore, Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-819.01 (Cum. Supp. 1982) has a bearing here.  Section 48-819.01 provides: "Whenever it is alleged that a party to an industrial dispute has engaged in an act which is in violation of any of the provisions of sections 48-801 to 48-838, or which interferes with, restrains, or coerces employees in the exercise of the rights provided in sections 48-801 to 48-838, the commission shall have the power and authority to make such findings and to enter such temporary or permanent orders as the commission may find necessary to provide adequate remedies to the injured party or parties, to effectuate the public policy enunciated in section 48-802, and to resolve the dispute." It seems clear to us that reducing employees' wages or changing the hours or terms and conditions of employment during an industrial dispute might interfere with or coerce employees attempting to exercise their right to bargain under the provisions of the act. That would explain the reason the Legislature granted to the CIR the authority to enter temporary orders necessary to retain the status quo of the parties while the dispute is resolved. See University Police Officers Union v. University of Nebraska, 203 Neb. 4, 277 N.W.2d 529 (1979). MAT argues that while an individual employee cannot be demoted or terminated, or threatened with demotion or termination, nevertheless, the public employer may adjust the terms or conditions of employment  We see little difference between demoting an employee and simply reducing his wages or changing his hours or terms and conditions of employment until he finds his employment unbearable. Obviously, this is not what is intended by the nature of the act. To be sure, the authority of the CIR to enter temporary orders is not unlimited.  As we noted in University Police Officers Union v. University of Nebraska, supra at 18, 277 N.W. 2d at 537:  "We will not now attempt to enumerate all the possible circumstances under which the CIR may exercist its authority.  We do note, however, that the authority granted to the CIR under the present act in general and section 48-816, R.R.S. 1943, in particular, is limited in nature.  We would anticipate that the CIR will exercise that jurisdiction in as narrow a manner as may be necessary."  The authority does, however, appear to us to be sufficient in this case.  To hold otherwise would be to completely repeal §§ 48-816 and 48-819.01 by judicial fiat.

MAT further argues that permitting the CIR to enter  temporary orders retaining the status quo of the parties would be, in effect, compelling the parties to continue a contract which had expired. We do not agree. To begin with, there may never be any "contract" in the sense of a complete document executed by both of the parties. The act makes it quite clear that the CIR cannot compel the governmental employer to enter into a contract if the governmental employer chooses not to do so. See Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-810.01  (Reissue  1978).  Nevertheless,  even though the CIR cannot compel the governmental employer to enter into a contract, it is clear that the CIR can enter a final order setting wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment which are binding upon the employer, and which, in every sense, is therefore a contract, though none may formally exist between the parties. Likewise, in the present instance, while the bargaining agreement between the parties may have expired, the employment contract between the parties goes on. The employees continue to provide services, and the employer is obligated to continue to make some payment.  The act in question simply grants to the CIR discretionary authority, when it appears appropriate to order that the status quo of the parties be retained until the dispute is resolved.  The employee may not be entitled to insist on changes in wages, hours, or terms and conditions of employment, and the employer, on the other hand, may be required to continue making payment and providing terms and conditions of employment identical to those which existed prior to the dispute.  When so ordered by the CIR in its discretion, it may very well be that it will preserve the interests of the public and will fulfill the public policy of the act to ensure the uninterrupted and continued functioning and operation of governmental services.

We therefore believe that the district court should have entertained the request made by the Transport Workers and should have entered appropriate orders carrying out the orders previously entered by the CIR. The judgment of the district court is reversed and the cause remanded.

 REVERSED AND REMANDED.