August 2020 Scoop

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Friday, August 7, 2020

State Employees: Be safe as you return to your worksites Gov. Roy Cooper announced this week an extension of Phase 2 of the state's reopening plan for another five weeks.

Some state offices have already begun the process of reopening. SEANC has partnered with N.C. Office of State Human Resources to promote a safe return to work for all state employees.

Remember to practice the three Ws when at work or in any public setting. The use of face coverings is required for employees and visitors to all state facilities.

To learn more, visit the state's COVID-19 response site here.

Retirees to save up to $2,600 annually on dependent coverage State Treasurer Dale Folwell and the State Health Plan Board of Trustees announced in mid-June a new contract with Humana for Medicare Advantage plans that will save retiree families up to $220 a month!

Beginning Jan. 1, 2021, Medicare-eligible members will continue to enjoy premiumfree coverage through the new plans from Humana, while eligible dependents will have monthly premiums of only $4 for the Medicare Advantage Base Plan.

The change will save the State Health Plan more than $600 million over three years.

All members currently covered under UnitedHealthcare will be moved to Humana beginning Jan. 1, 2021. Members will continue to have the choice of the Base or Enhanced Plan under Humana as well as the option of the 70/30 Plan, which is administered by Blue Cross North Carolina.

Open enrollment for 2021 will take place Oct. 15-31. If you have questions, please let us know by emailing seanccares@seanc.org. We have also set up a page of Frequently Asked Questions to help retirees navigate this change.

Connections Fund here to help members affected by Isaias' wrath

SEANC hopes all members are safe from Hurricane Isaias and the tornadoes it spawned. Thank you to all the many state employees working around the clock including first responders, emergency management workers, DOT workers, personnel at our prisons and DHHS facilities, and all others who kept vital public services running throughout.

If you are a SEANC member who has suffered damage from Isaias, you may qualify for assistance from the SEANC Connections Fund. Click here for more information.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! RECRUIT NEW MEMBERS TO WIN $$$ For the month of August, each recruiter gets $20 for every new member they sign up as well as any new member they refer to us here who joins.

And all new members and recruiters will be entered into our monthly drawing for $250!

The SEANC Insurance Department is available to assist you Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 800-222-2758 or insurance@seanc.org.

Stay tuned to SEANC Social Media for updates

www.seanc.org | The State Employees Association of North Carolina | Š 2020

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Friday, August 14, 2020

EMPAC endorses Dale Folwell for State Treasurer

SEANC's political action committee, EMPAC, proudly endorses State Treasurer Dale Folwell for re-election in the 2020 General Election.

EMPAC endorsed Folwell in the 2016 election, and since his first day in office he has been a staunch advocate for state employees and retirees.

He has always been willing to lend a collaborative ear to SEANC’s concerns involving the retirement system, State Health Plan and protecting the interests of our members. He has been willing to stand up to insurance companies, big healthcare and Wall Street.

"After years of bad decisions by our two previous treasurers, Treasurer Folwell has been a dream come true for state employees and retirees,” said EMPAC Statewide Chairman Mark Dearmon. “EMPAC is proud to endorse him. We all need to work hard to get him re-elected."

While pension plans all over the country have been left reeling from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, North Carolina’s plan has gained around 4% and now sits at over $105 billion thanks to Folwell's conservative approach. He also put his career on the line for state employees and retirees in last year’s fight over the Clear Pricing Project, which would bring transparency and cost savings to the State Health Plan.

Read the full release here

Connections Fund here to help members affected by Isaias' wrath SEANC hopes all members are safe from Hurricane Isaias and the tornadoes it spawned. Thank you to all the many state employees working around the clock including first responders, emergency management workers, DOT workers, personnel at our prisons and DHHS facilities, and all others who kept vital public services running throughout.

If you are a SEANC member who has suffered damage from Isaias, you may qualify for assistance from the SEANC Connections Fund. Click here for more information.

Have you reviewed your vision benefits lately?

SEANC offers three nationwide plans through Spectera that include eye exams, lenses, eyeglass frames and contact lenses. Click here to see the SEANC difference!

Purchasing Power helps you get what you need when it matters most. Shop brandname furniture, appliances, computers and more. Get it now and pay over time direct from your paycheck. Visit https://www.purchasingpower.com/?domain=seanc for more information!

WE NEED YOUR HELP! RECRUIT NEW MEMBERS TO WIN $$$ For the month of August, each recruiter gets $20 for every new member they sign up as well as any new member they refer to us here who joins.

And all new members and recruiters will be entered into our monthly drawing for $250!

The SEANC Insurance Department is available to assist you

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 800-222-2758 or insurance@seanc.org.

Stay tuned to SEANC Social Media for updates

www.seanc.org | The State Employees Association of North Carolina | © 2020

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August 21, 2020

SEANC fights for staff as UNC campuses go online This week both UNC-Chapel Hill and N.C. State University were forced to backtrack on plans for in-person classes this year because of COVID-19 outbreaks.

In the end, it is the non-faculty staff that will suffer most. The UNC Board of Governors made the decision to open, and administrations were charged with implementation of rules to keep people safe. Some students chose not to follow the rules – gathering in large groups without masks and bringing the virus in from off-campus activities. Faculty members made the push to move to online classes.

Now non-faculty, who had no say at all, are left to clean up the mess, both literally and in their own lives with the prospects of lost jobs and health care.

SEANC Executive Director Ardis Watkins penned a letter to the editor of each newspaper that serves a town with a UNC System campus as well as each student newspaper spelling out the danger that non-faculty workers on these campuses now face.

SEANC continues to work with administrators at both the UNC System and each individual campus to ensure that all staff members are represented as developments progress.

Read Ardis Watkins' OpEd

SEANC OFFERS WEBINAR ON MAIL-IN VOTING Wondering what all the fuss is about surrounding mail-in voting?

SEANC has answers! Join SEANC Political Strategist Amanda Finelli on Tuesday, August 25 at 6:30 p.m. for an informative discussion on what you need to know to vote in this important – but strange – election! Fill out this form if you are interested in taking part in the virtual meeting!

Register for the Virtual Meeting Submit a question

EMPAC ENDORSES HOLLEY, TROXLER IN GENERAL ELECTION EMPAC, the political arm of SEANC, continued its rollout of 202 election endorsements this week by announcing its support for Yvonne Holley for Lieutenant Governor and Steve Troxler for re-election as Commissioner of Agriculture. The PAC has also endorsed Dale Folwell for re-election as State Treasurer.

Look for more endorsements in coming weeks as the election nears.

BENEFITS Dental Insurance SEANC's Dental Insurance through UnitedHealthcare is one of our most popular plans, and with good reason.

The plan includes an annual deductible from $25 to $50 and preventative care is 100 percent covered with no deductible for two visits per year.

Learn more

Accident Insurance SEANC's Dental Insurance through UnitedHealthcare is one of our most popular plans, and with good reason.

The plan includes an annual deductible from $25 to $50 and preventative care is 100 percent covered with no deductible for two visits per year.

Learn more

SEANC Cares SEANC has been busy this week, made deliveries of snacks and signs throughout the state, including stops at Davidson Correctional (District 16), the Department of Administration (District 44) and the Departments of Social Services in Hertford, Bertie and Martin Counties (District 63) today! Thank you for all that you do, state employees! If you would like a visit at your worksite, contact seanccares@seanc.org Bring SEANC to your workplace

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August 28, 2020

With Election Day approaching, EMPAC makes more endorsements

Less than 10 weeks remain before Election Day on Nov. 3, and you must start preparing now to cast your vote in what is already a strange election.

To get you ready, SEANC hosted a webinar this week to help members with mail-in voting. If you were unable to attend, you can click here to watch it.

EMPAC MAKES 3 MORE ENDORSEMENTS IN GENERAL ELECTION EMPAC, the political arm of SEANC, announced three more endorsements in Council of State races today. Along with supporting longtime SEANC member Elaine Marshall for Secretary of State and Beth Wood for State Auditor, EMPAC is backing Catherine Truitt for Superintendent of Public Instruction.

EMPAC has already endorsed Yvonne Holley for Lieutenant Governor, Dale Folwell for State Treasurer, Steve Troxler for Commissioner of Agriculture and expects to make further announcements in the next two weeks.

Read more about the endorsements

BENEFITS MASS MUTUAL INSURANCE SEANC now offers easy, affordable Lifetime Insurance Coverage with cash-value growth through Mass Mutual! Click here for more information and to fill out and submit the online form: Learn more

CANCER INSURANCE SEANC offers protection for when the unexpected happens with our

cancer, hospital indemnity and disability plans through Colonial.

Learn more

WE NEED YOUR HELP! RECRUIT NEW MEMBERS TO WIN $$$ For the month of August, each recruiter gets $20 for every new member they sign up as well as any new member they refer to us here who joins. And all new members and recruiters will be entered into our monthly drawing for $250!

Bring SEANC to your workplace

SAVE ON TOP BRANDS Check out TicketsatWork to save on major electronics brands like Dell Computers, Lenovo, HP, Logitech, Canon, Sonos and more.

Visit our website