April 2020 • Vol. 38, Issue 3
THE
REPORTER
State Employees Association of North Carolina
Ardis Watkins named first female SEANC Executive Director SEANC announced on March 11 the promotion of Ardis Watkins as the organization’s first female Executive Director in its 73-year history. Watkins, an attorney, has worked as a lobbyist and Director of Government Relations for SEANC since January 2001, and worked at the N.C. Department of Labor as the Director of Employment Mediation for eight years prior to joining the SEANC staff. She is well-known at the legislature and in the field as a strong voice for state employees and retirees. Under her
leadership, SEANC lobbied legislators to pass the nation’s first $15 minimum wage for state employees in 2018, and her efforts to secure pay raises and funding for the retirement system and State Health Plan have bettered the lives of many working families in the state. “No one knows SEANC and our issues better than Ardis Watkins,” said President Jimmy Davis. “She is a tireless advocate for our members. We look forward to her leadership of the organization and have high expectations for her.” “SEANC is my home, and I am
SEANC Executive Director Ardis Watkins
excited to take on this challenge,” Watkins said. “I look forward to leading our staff of determined professionals who care deeply about this organization’s mission as well.”
Coronavirus cases in N.C. increase fears, market volatility The worldwide outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus started to hit close to home for state employees and retirees in March. The State Health Plan announced on March 13 emergency measures to help members deal with COVID-19, including expanding telemedicine options, waiving prior authorization requirements and eliminating cost-sharing for members for testing. The Plan also increased access to maintenance medications by waiving the early medication refill limits on
30-day prescriptions and waived CVS home delivery charges for medications. The virus has had a negative impact on the stock market, resulting in substantial losses in March. Fortunately, thanks to conservative management by State Treasurer Dale Folwell, short term gains and losses are not as impactful as the overall health of the pension system. North Carolina’s retirement system is more than 90% funded and was recently rated as “especially well” prepared to weather another recession,
according to a stress test by Pew Charitable Trusts. Market turmoil like this is why SEANC opposes gambling on risky investments. Folwell has taken criticism from his opponents for not gambling more of state employees’ pensions in the stock market as his predecessors did. His actions have made the retirement system more secure and able to weather downturns. Retirees should rest assured that pension checks will not be affected by the market volatility.
Help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases like COVID-19 For more information: www.cdc.gov/COVID19
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.