April 2017 Scoop

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Friday, April 7, 2017

Bill for retiree COLA moves ahead in General Assembly

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SEANC retirees showed up in force once again this week to advocate for House Bill 497, which would grant a 2-percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in the upcoming budget.

On Wednesday, SEANC Retiree Council Chairman Benny Brigman and SEANC Government Relations Director Ardis Watkins made SEANC’s case for the COLA to the House Pensions and Retirement Committee. The committee gave a favorable report to the bill. It will now have to pass the House Appropriations Committee before it can go to the full house for a vote.

SEANC is also working hard to shepherd House Bill 540 to a vote. This bill would give active state employees and teachers a much-needed $2,400 pay increase this year.

Also this week, the national media is taking note of State Treasurer Dale Folwell’s plans to reduce huge fees paid to Wall Street with the state retirement system. Bloomberg Businessweek released a story today noting that the system paid more than $600 million in fees last year, seven times more per dollar than it did in 2000.

Click here to read this week’s Legislative Update.

Retirees needed once again Tuesday!

House Bill 103, which would eliminate state income tax on the earned retirement benefits of military, federal, state and local government retirees, will be heard by the House Finance Committee on Tuesday, and SEANC needs members to come out and show their support.

The committee meeting is set for 8:30 a.m. Tuesday in Room 544 of the Legislative Office Building, located at 300 N. Salisbury St. in Raleigh. Directions and parking information can be found here.

The bill would extend the Bailey Settlement, which exempts those who were vested before Aug. 12, 1989 from paying state income tax on retirement benefits. The 4th Branch, an affiliated group of associations like SEANC, advocates extending that benefit to all federal, state and military retirees.

Scholarship Applications Deadline is next week!

One of the outstanding benefits of SEANC membership is its scholarship program. Active and associate members, their spouses and their dependent children are eligible to apply for scholarships to attend technical schools, community colleges, trade schools, junior colleges and four-year universities or colleges. Go to our scholarship page to access applications for the 2017-18 school year: 2017-2018 Category I Application (Financial Need)

2017-2018 Category II Application (Merit) 2017-2018 Category III Application (Member Only)

SEANC recruits 40 at Murdoch, Caswell centers!

The SEANC Member Relations Department signed up 40 new members in two benefits fairs at Murdoch Developmental Center in Butner and Caswell Developmental Center in Kinston this week! Thank you to everyone who made the visits possible. It’s great to be back!

Now that Gov. Roy Cooper has signed Executive Order 5 that allows SEANC more access at worksites, we are ready to recruit at your agency! If you have an event or meeting coming up that you would like for a SEANC representative to attend, please let us know! Email Member Relations Director Lynn Cote at lcote@seanc.org or call 1-800-222-2758 today!

Theme park tickets on sale now!

Spring has officially arrived and for members, that means the start of theme park season! Through a longstanding partnership between SEANC and State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU), members can now purchase 2017 seasonal discount tickets to their favorite amusement parks through Sept. 29 at any of the State Employees Credit Union’s 257 branch offices statewide.

This season’s lineup includes Busch Gardens-Williamsburg, Carowinds, Dollywood, Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park, Kings Dominion, Myrtle Waves, Ocean Breeze-Virginia Beach, Tweetsie Railroad and Emerald Pointe Wet ’n Wild.

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Friday, April 14, 2017

Have you missed us?

Because we have missed you!

Thanks to Executive Order 5, signed by Gov. Roy Cooper last month, SEANC’s member relations team is ready to come give a presentation on our many benefits and recruit new members at your worksite!

The executive order allows SEANC access to workers in all agencies under the governor’s authority. This will allow us to better represent your needs and concerns on the job, and to better recruit new members into the association.

Simply fill out this form or click the button below if you would like for us to come to your office or worksite. And don’t worry, we will take care of the planning!

Visit my worksite

SEANC to Legislators: Hear the Bills!

If you will recall, SEANC has worked with legislators to gain overwhelming bipartisan support for bills that would give a true pay raise to active state employees and a cost-ofliving adjustment to retirees.

House Bill 540, filed by Rep. Chris Malone (RWake) would give all state employees and teachers who make less than $100,000 a year a $2,400 pay increase this year.

Representatives from both sides of the aisle and all over the state support this bill because it is evident the need for real pay raises is a crisis for the state that must be addressed. In fact, more than a third of all House Republicans feel strongly enough to lend their name to it as co-sponsors.

House Bill 497, filed by Rep. Jonathan Jordan (R-Ashe) would grant a 2-percent COLA to retirees this year. It received a unanimous favorable vote from the House Pensions and Retirement Committee last week, but still must pass through the House Appropriations Committee to get a floor vote.

We need members to reach out to your legislators to ask them to hear the bills! It doesn't cost the state a dime to discuss these bills in committee, so there's no reason not to have a good debate over what state employee pay and retiree COLA should be this year.

Click here to contact your representative using SEANC’s Engage tool. Simply type your address in the search bar to find your representative. You will then be able to send a pre-written message directly to them, or type in your own message.

You can also click here to find your legislators by county to give them a call.

Scholarship applications are due Saturday!

One of the outstanding benefits of SEANC membership is its scholarship program. Active and associate members, their spouses and their dependent children are eligible to apply for scholarships to attend technical schools, community colleges, trade schools, junior colleges and four-year universities or colleges. Go to our scholarship page to access applications for the 2017-18 school year: 2017-2018 Category I Application (Financial Need) 2017-2018 Category II Application (Merit) 2017-2018 Category III Application (Member Only)

Annual meetings are around the corner!

Make plans today to attend your district’s annual meeting!

Each year in May and June, all 51 SEANC districts to host an annual meeting ahead of the SEANC Convention in September. At these meetings, bylaws changes and policy

platform objectives are voted on and, if approved, sent to a vote at convention. Districts also hold elections at these meetings and often host special guests. A staff person from the SEANC Central Office will also be on hand at each to give an update from the Legislature and other items of importance.

Click here to find your district’s meeting information.

Enjoy the colors of Spring with Spectera!

It’s amazing what you don’t see when your vision needs to be corrected. Look into the Vision Plan offered through SEANC. This Plan offers cost- effective nationwide benefits and includes eye exams, lenses, eyeglass frames and contact lenses. Discounts are available on non-covered cosmetic options and laser vision correction procedures.

Contact us today at 800.222.2758.

Enjoy a weekend getaway...You deserve it!

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Friday, April 21, 2017

Pay raise, COLA bills deserve to be heard

SEANC is in full “pay raise and cost-of-living adjustment” mode right now, as the House and Senate continue work on their state budget proposals.

As you know, SEANC has worked with Rep. Chris Malone (R-Wake) to put forth House Bill 540, which would give state employees a much-needed $2,400 pay raise this year. We also have worked with Rep. Jonathan Jordan (R-Ashe) to introduce House Bill 497, which would give state retirees a 2-percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).

Both bills have bipartisan support, with more than a third of House Republicans signaling they would vote for them. It’s obvious that the time is now for the state to tackle this problem. State employees and retirees continue to fall further behind each year that adequate raises aren’t in the state budget.

Not only do raises help state employees and retirees, though. More money in our

pockets mean more money spent in our communities, which helps everyone!

Members and lobbyists spent this week pushing House leadership to allow the bills to be heard! Members have responded by making calls and sending emails to their legislators and House leadership demanding that the bills be heard. Their work is not going unnoticed according to SEANC lobbyists at the General Assembly.

We have to keep it up! Click here to make a call to House leaders to tell them to hear the bill. Click here to email your legislator about the issue as well as HB497, the retiree COLA bill.

And please, if you do nothing else, click here to tell us what you would do with a $2,400 raise. Each person who shares a story will be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift card.

Already, we have received more than 400 responses!

Ask businesses to support pay raises, win cash!

It is going to take more than just action from SEANC members to get HB 540 heard by the House Appropriations Committee. We need the support in the business community too, since more money in our pockets mean more spent in our communities!

We need members to quickly reach out to businesses and attractions in your area and ask them to support our pay raise economic stimulus plan. Please ask the business owner for an email address where we can contact them to detail how we plan to use their name and support for their approval. Then send the business name and email address to SEANC Senior Lobbyist Suzanne Beasley at sbeasley@seanc.org as soon as possible!

The businesses will be recognized in the June Reporter, which is sent to all 50,000-plus SEANC members (free advertising!)

Because of the urgency of this project, we will offer gift card prizes to the member who produces the most support from businesses in their districts.

First prize $100 gift card Second prize $75 gift card Third prize $50 gift card The contest starts now and ends next Friday, April 28, so get to work!

Have you missed us?

Because we have missed you!

Thanks to Executive Order 5, signed by Gov. Roy Cooper last month, SEANC’s member relations team is ready to come give a presentation on our many benefits and recruit new members at your worksite!

The executive order allows SEANC access to workers in all agencies under the governor’s authority. This will allow us to better represent your needs and concerns on the job, and to better recruit new members into the association.

Simply fill out this form or click the button below if you would like for us to come to your office or worksite. And don’t worry, we will take care of the planning!

Visit my worksite

Annual meetings are around the corner!

Make plans today to attend your district’s annual meeting!

Each year in May and June, all 51 SEANC districts to host an annual meeting ahead of the SEANC Convention in September. At these meetings, bylaws changes and policy platform objectives are voted on and, if approved, sent to a vote at convention. Districts also hold elections at these meetings and often host special guests. A staff person from the SEANC Central Office will also be on hand at each to give an update from the Legislature and other items of importance.

Click here to find your district’s meeting information.

Enjoy the colors of Spring with Spectera!

It’s amazing what you don’t see when your vision needs to be corrected. Look into the Vision Plan offered through SEANC. This Plan offers cost- effective nationwide benefits and includes eye exams, lenses, eyeglass frames and contact lenses. Discounts are available on non-covered cosmetic options and laser vision correction procedures.

Contact us today at 800.222.2758.

Enjoy a weekend getaway...You deserve it!

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Friday, April 28, 2017

SEANC back to pay raises,

COLAs after crossover deadline passes This was crossover week at the General Assembly – usually a wild week as legislators try to get their bills heard before Thursday so they stay alive in the session. This year was no different. Click above for a video recap of the week from SEANC's Government Relations Department.

The bill to stop SEANC members’ payroll deduction, Senate Bill 375, moved through the Senate. Sponsored by Sen. Ralph Hise, the bill passed through both the Senate's State and Local Government and Rules committees and then the full body on Wednesday night.

Payroll deduction is YOUR RIGHT, not SEANC’s right. Taking it away is just another attempt to silence state employees so legislators don't have to answer for the lack of meaningful raises and cost-of-living adjustments for which we have been fighting.

Now that the craziness of crossover week is over, SEANC can refocus on those raises and COLAs. As you know, SEANC has worked with Rep. Chris Malone (R-Wake) to put forth House Bill 540, which would give state employees a much-needed $2,400 pay raise this year.

We also have worked with Rep. Jonathan Jordan (R-Ashe) to introduce House Bill 497, which would give state retirees a 2-percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).

Both bills have bipartisan support, with more than a third of House Republicans signaling they would vote for them.

Malone (R-Wake) and SEANC’s Ardis Watkins appeared on Spectrum News’ Capital Tonight broadcast on Monday to talk about both issues. Click here to watch the full episode. The segment starts around the 15-minute mark of the episode.

Also this week, the N.C. Justice Center released an article on state employee wages that showed state employees have seen an average decrease of $12 in weekly pay from 2010-2016, while private sector weekly wages have increased by $67 in that time.

Click here for this week’s Legislative Update.

Win $500 by switching to bank draft!

With Senate Bill 375 passing through the Senate, your right to have dues, insurance premiums and other payments directly deducted from your paycheck are under direct attack. Now is the time for members to switch to bank draft to avoid lapses in insurance coverage and membership.

If you haven't already, please visit https://apo.seanc.org now to switch from payroll deduction to bank draft. The process is simple and puts you in control of your life and your voice.

As an added incentive, anyone who has made the switch to bank draft by June 30 will be entered into a drawing for $500! If you have already made the switch you are entered.

Weekly drawings for smaller prizes will be held as well.

Make the switch now at https://apo.seanc.org!

SEANC mourns the loss of one of our own The state was shocked by heartbreaking news on Wednesday that a sergeant at Bertie Correctional Institution was attacked and killed by an inmate. Sgt. Meggan Lee Callahan, 29, was a member of SEANC District 63 and had been since 2012. We mourn her passing and pray for her family and friends in this difficult time.

Her passing should also serve as a reminder of the unbelievably dangerous conditions our correctional officers face every day to keep us all safe. All state employees deserve respect and dignity for their tireless sacrifice to this state.

SEANC President Stanley Drewery has set up a relief effort for any individual or district who wants to donate money to help with funeral and family expenses for Sgt. Callahan.

To make a donation online, click here. You can also mail checks, payable to SEANC with “Sgt. Callahan Memorial Fund” in the memo line, to: SEANC Sgt. Callahan Memorial Fund 1621 Midtown Place

Raleigh, NC 27609

300 new members join SEANC in April!

SEANC would like to welcome the 300 new members who chose to stand with their coworkers in support of public services in April, including 160 from the Department of Public Safety alone! New members also came to the association from the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Health and Human Services, Justice, Revenue and Transportation, the Office of Information Technology Services, the Division of Employment Security, The Administrative Offices of the Courts, the Office of the State Treasurer, Local Government, Beaufort County Community College, Central Carolina Community College, Central Piedmont Community College, Fayetteville Technical Community College, Robeson Community College, Southwestern Community College, Western Piedmont Community College, East Carolina University, N.C. A&T State University, NC State University, UNCAsheville, UNC-Chapel Hill, Western Carolina University, Winston-Salem State University, and schools in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Duplin, Harnett, Henderson, Hertford, Johnston, Wake, Wilson and Winston-Salem/Forsyth counties.

Thanks to Executive Order 5, signed by Gov. Roy Cooper last month, SEANC’s member relations team is ready to come to your worksite and give a presentation on our many benefits and recruit new members!

For instance, District 17 hosts “Hungry Friday” events (pictured) each month at agencies in the Triad, which have proven to be a successful way of recruiting and informing members on what is going on in state government.

Simply fill out this form or click the button below if you would like for us to come to your

office or worksite.

Visit my worksite

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