February reporter 2017

February 2017 • Vol. 35, Issue 2

THE

REPORTER

State Employees Association of North Carolina

SEANC Presses Legislature for Pay Raises, COLAs From helping the east recover after Hurricane Matthew to fighting the wildfires in the west to clearing roads after the recent snowstorm, state employees have proven time and time again their value to the state’s citizens since the last budget was determined.

And yet, our importance to this state doesn’t always show up in our paychecks. While the rest of the state has benefited by an improving economy, state employees and retirees have been left out in the cold for the last decade.

As always, the state budget will be a major focus for both legislators and SEANC lobbyists in the current General Assembly session that started Jan. 11. And when it comes to pay, the status quo of the last few years won’t be good enough. We are counting on legislators to recognize the hard work and sacrifices of state employees and retirees with compensation increases, along with continued support for the State Health Plan and retirement system, in this budget cycle.

“It's time for legislators to step up to the plate and pass meaningful pay raises for state employees and costof-living adjustments for our retirees,” said SEANC President Stanley Drewery. “The good people who dedicate their lives to making this state great have been left behind for too long and are hurting because of it.”

In This Issue 2-3 4-5 7 8

Public Policy Members in Action Member Benefits Alternate Payments Online

"It's time for legislators to step up to the plate and pass meaningful pay raises for state employees and cost-of-living adjustments for our retirees."

Stanley Drewery SEANC President SPECIAL SESSIONS AN OMINOUS SIGN SEANC lobbyists started laying the foundation for our arguments for increased compensation for both current employees and retirees during December’s wild special sessions.

While both sides played partisan politics in a raucous few weeks, our lobbyists worked with Rep. Jonathan Jordan (R-Ashe) and Rep. Gary Pendleton (R-Wake) to bring up issues important to state employees and retirees. Pendleton filed a bill to halt privatization at the Department of Transportation, while Jordan filed a bill to give a $1,000 bonus to state workers from excess revenue.

These bills did not move out of committee in the session, but the topics will come back up in the current session.

SEANC was also able to fight off several harmful reforms that would have affected state employees directly in the special sessions, including stopping an attempt to launch a state employee pay plan (that no one had seen) on Dec. 31 rather than on Feb. 1 as originally intended.

OTHER ISSUES OF NOTE The state budget won’t be the only bill of importance to state employees and retirees in the long session.

Changes to the State Human Resources Act will likely be the subject of some debate, as well as continued efforts to privatize the DOT. A harmful Taxpayer Bill of Rights could also be brought — which would limit the state’s ability to give raises and hire employees even in prosperous times.

Some legislators will continue to target SEANC members’ right to have dues, insurance premiums and other payments easily deducted from paychecks each month as a way of silencing our voice.

While these bills have found little support in past sessions, that may not always be the case. SEANC urges all of you to sign up for bank draft today (see back page for details.)

WE NEED YOUR HELP! We ask that you remain engaged during the current session. Drewery has made it a priority to get as many members as possible to contact your legislators at least once this session, be it through a phone call, email or preferably in person.

Come to the legislature and speak to your lawmakers on the need to respect employees and retirees. SEANC lobbyists will help set up meetings for you and provide you with information to help you make your points.

Also, stay informed. In addition to weekly Legislative Updates in the Scoop, SEANC will also share information as it is available on Facebook and Twitter.

We also ask that you text “SEANC” to 787753 to opt into our text alerts service. These alerts will tell you when action is needed.

PUBLIC POLICY EMPAC has strong showing in election Special legislative election may occur in 2017 EMPAC-endorsed candidates scored major victories in the 2016 General Election, boasting an 83-percent win rate, proving once again that SEANC is a strong force to be reckoned with in state politics.

In total, EMPAC endorsed 110 candidates during this election cycle, and 91 of them won. The PAC put a priority on the Governor’s race and the Treasurer’s race — the two offices that have the greatest impact on the lives of state employees and retirees — and both EMPAC-endorsed candidates won.

COOPER WINS CLOSE GOVERNOR'S RACE

THE

The Governor’s race was a close one, with Pat McCrory waiting a full month to concede the race. Gov. Roy Cooper won

REPORTER

Jonathan Owens, Editor-In-Chief Beth Dew, Managing Editor Amanda Wise, Associate Editor Sara Cowell Coburn, Associate Editor

State Employees Association of North Carolina 1621 Midtown Place • Raleigh, NC 27609 Telephone 919-833-6436, 800-222-2758 www.seanc.org

Advertising Policy

SEANC accepts advertising material from companies and persons seeking to communicate with SEANC members.

Acceptance of this advertising does not indicate SEANC approval or endorsement of any representation that the message, product or service is as represented by the advertiser. SEANC accepts no responsibility and shall not be liable for any use of or reliance on any such information, product or service. SEANC is a private entity and is under no obligation to carry advertisements of any nature, political or otherwise, that may be viewed as contrary to the interests of the association and its membership.

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THE REPORTER • February 2017

the final count by around 10,000 votes.

McCrory finally gave up on Dec. 5 after demanding recounts in several counties.

Cooper’s success would not have been possible without the hard work of SEANC members who worked diligently in statewide canvass initiatives, phone banks and get-outthe-vote efforts at the polls. It also would not have been possible without the many members who put aside party politics to vote for a candidate who supports state employees and retirees.

At our convention in September, Cooper told SEANC President Stanley Drewery that SEANC would have a voice in his administration. Drewery said he will hold him to that.

“We look forward to working with Gov. Roy Cooper to ensure that North Carolina continues to have the highest quality workforce in the country,” Drewery said. “State employees and retirees are the state’s most important assets and will ensure a seamless transition. Better days are ahead for the state of North Carolina with Roy Cooper in charge.”

FOLWELL CRUISES IN TREASURER'S RACE SEANC scored a resounding victory in the fight to protect members’ retirement security and health care by lifting Dale Folwell to victory over Dan Blue III for Treasurer. EMPAC and member volunteers put significant effort into this race because Folwell pledged to cut fees paid to Wall Street with retirement funds and to

2016 ELECTION BY THE NUMBERS ● In total, EMPAC made 110 endorsements during this election cycle, and 91 of our endorsed candidates won. ● Of the ten Council of State endorsements, six of our endorsed candidates won. ● Of our 29 N.C. Senate races, 22 won. ● Of our 71 house races, 63 won.

stabilize State Health Plan premiums.

With a margin of victory nearing 250,000 votes, Folwell’s message of accountability, oversight and strong management of your hard-earned money prevailed.

Endorsed candidates for Attorney General (Josh Stein), State Auditor (Beth Wood), Commissioner of Agriculture (Steve Troxler) and Secretary of State (Elaine Marshall) won as well.

We were disappointed in the Lieutenant Governor’s race, where SEANC hero Linda Coleman could not get enough support to beat Dan Forest.

ANOTHER RACE IN 2017 There’s no rest for the weary, though. A special election may be called in 2017 to elect a new General Assembly with new district maps after the current maps were deemed unconstitutional.

If you have ever had ambition to run for the legislature, 2017 is the time! SEANC would love to support candidates who are members! If you are interested in running, contact the SEANC Government Relations Department at 1-800-222-2758 today!

Tax Deduction Notification Federal law requires SEANC to provide all members with a written estimate of what portion of membership dues goes to lobbying and political expenses. The majority of dues paid by SEANC members who are current state employees is allowable as an “employee business expense”under federal income tax. However, the part of the dues that SEANC uses for political and lobbying purposes is not tax deductible.

For the tax year 2016, the nondeductible political action/lobbying amount is $1.48 per month. The same federal law requires SEANC to give its members an estimate of 2017’s political action lobbying expenses that are paid from dues. The anticipated figure for the 2017 tax year is $1.59 per month. Members are encouraged to consult a tax professional about individual tax returns and liability.

PUBLIC POLICY SEANC needs your help in the FIGHT FOR $15 Did you know that more than 25 percent of active state employees do not make $15 an hour — or $31,200 annually? That means that more than 20,000 employees in state government agencies would get raises if the minimum wage were increased to $15 per hour.

If we add in non-certified teaching personnel and employees in local government positions, this number grows significantly. Increasing the minimum wage to $15 is imperative to bettering the lives of all public employees and would have a positive impact on our communities and families.

With this in mind, SEANC is proud to kick off its Fight for $15 campaign for public employees, and we want you to help out! We have assembled a

Fight for $15 committee to educate and empower members with the ultimate aim of securing legislation for a $15 minimum wage for all of our public sector employees in North Carolina.

Currently, the committee has members located all around the state who will be dedicated to developing pathways to achieve this goal.

We are asking you to share your stories and ask members in your district to share as well. We heard incredible stories from members at our convention in September, who bravely came forward to share what a living wage means to them and the reality of what the under $15 an hour worker looks like.

We can no longer sit silently while employees who give nearly 30 years of their lives to state employment make less than $15 an hour. This includes

workers in nearly every agency across this state. Some of our co-workers have secret struggles we don’t know about.

Now more than ever we need to stand together and fight for them and for ourselves.

This isn’t just an active employee issue. Raising the wage for state employees means also raising the wage for our retirees. More money going into our retirement system and State Health Plan means security for current retirees and future retirees.

In 2017, we are asking that actives and retirees come together to make our Fight for $15 a reality.

To get involved, share your stories or for more information, please contact ff15@seanc.org or call (919) 833-6436.

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THE REPORTER • February 2017

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MEMBERS IN ACTION Retirees are essential to SEANC's mission

A

s we begin a new year, it is a good time to remind you that retirees are arguably the most valuable asset in this association.

As retirees, we have seen it all in state government and in SEANC itself. As a result, we have become the institutional knowledge of the organization. Not only are you an invaluable resource to SEANC, but you are equally invaluable to the future of state employment.

I know that retirees will be hit the hardest by the dues increase planned for April. But I hope that you will stick with us. SEANC relies on you, and will not succeed without you.

We are currently working on plans to help ease the burden of the dues increase for retirees. One way to save would be through prepayment of your dues for a year. If you pay for a whole year before the change, you will lock in the old rate for a year.

COMPETITIVE INSURANCE RATES We’re also going to be highlighting discounts and insurance savings that can help you “get that $5 back” each month.

As a retiree myself, I know firsthand

the difficulty of finding affordable life insurance and other insurance at my age.

Sticking with SEANC is the best option for most of us. If you quit, you’re going to pay a lot more than $5 extra each month for the new policy you have to take out — if you can find one.

MEMBER DISCOUNTS I use our discounts regularly as well, and save well over $5 each month thanks to my SEANC membership. I get discounts at restaurants, florists and even hotels. We have a database of more than 3,200 discounts at businesses around the state and beyond.

LOBBYING SUCCESSES Our SEANC retirees demonstrated their selfless commitment to state employees and retirees when they showed up by the dozens ready to fight against legislation that would not only harm current retirees but also active employees hoping one day to retire. We were able to send the General Assembly a clear message that when the call to action is issued, SEANC retirees will show up and stand up to protect the rights we have worked decades to secure.

Benny Brigman,

Retiree Council Chairman PLEDGE TO VOLUNTEER During this legislative session, we hope that we will not only repeat the lobbying successes of our retirees this past year but build upon our power by growing our retiree lobbying base. Our retirees will vitally impact SEANC’s ability to reach our greatest potential moving forward.

RETIREE REPRESENTATIVES HIRED SEANC has also hired two parttime Member Relations Retiree Representatives who are tasked solely with recruiting and retaining retirees.

I am one of them, and will serve the eastern part of the state. District 10 member Dennis Hartley will serve the western part of the state and current full-time representative C.J. Stephens will continue to serve districts in the Wake County area. All are available for retiree forums or meetings at your workplace.

For more information or to schedule an event, contact the SEANC Central Office at 919-833-6436.

If you have any questions or concerns contact me at retireeaction@seanc.org.

Moving SEANC forward will require dues increase The delegates at the 2016 SEANC Convention voted in September to increase dues by $5 per month for both active and retired members in April.

The new dues rate — $14 for current employees or $10 for retirees — will be taken from members’ March paychecks.

The increase will help fund the SEANC A.C.T.S. plan, which will help the organization better serve members and respond to threats for decades to come. It has been more than 10 years since SEANC last approved a dues increase, even though projections at that time suggested an increase would be needed again in five years. Slashing the budget is no longer a viable option

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THE REPORTER • February 2017

for maintaining the level of services SEANC currently provides to members.

With implementation of the A.C.T.S. plan, SEANC will be a force to be reckoned with at the General Assembly.

We will stand together with an army of dedicated grassroots lobbyists working for their fellow members and we will demand to have our voices heard.

SEANC faces threats to our pension and payroll deduction from legislators who oppose us. We also must upgrade SEANC’s Information Technology infrastructure. Additional funding also allows us to grow our membership.

All of this will take time, money and most importantly, you. SEANC needs all

of you. Your coworkers need you. When we stand together and fight together, we win together.

The Reporter, USPS 009-852 (ISSN 1069 2142), is published six times a year in the months of February, April, May, July, September and November for $2.50 per year, per member, by the State Employees Association of North Carolina, Inc., 1621 Midtown Place, Raleigh, NC 27609.

Periodicals postage paid at Raleigh and additional offices.

POSTMASTER, Send address changes to: THE REPORTER 1621 Midtown Place Raleigh, NC 27609

LYNN TUTHILL

SUBMITTED BY BONITA H. HENDERSON

MEMBERS IN ACTION

District 64 donated five $50 VISA gift cards to The Center for Family Violence Prevention to help provide a bright Christmas to the children of domestic violence victims. Pictured, District 64 Chairwoman Latina Shelley (right) presents the donation to Catonnia Pitt, the director of the safe house.

SUBMITTED BY HENRY BELADA

LYNN TUTHILL

District 65 members, friends and volunteers got together on Dec. 6 to transform wire coat hangers, garland and strings of lights into 22 miniature Christmas trees. The group also made six wreaths. The trees and wreaths were donated to Greenville area nursing homes. Pictured from left are Debbie Austin, District Chairwoman Alicia Simpson, Jeremiah Cherry, Karen Simmons, Gloria Batts, Tammy Heller, Cody Hodges, Shannon Hodges, Lydia Hodges, Deborah Hall, Lina Johnson, Cynthia Hart, Laranda Boone, Marquerite Latham, Lynn Tuthill and Dwayne Mackey (not pictured Minnie Jackson).

LYNN TUTHILL

District 65 adopted two children during the holidays through the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program. The district donated $200 per child and purchased as many items from the list as possible. Pictured from left with the gifts are SEANC First Vice President Gloria Evans, District 65 member Lina Johnson, District 65 Chairwoman Alicia Simpson, and District 65 members Cynthia Hart, Jacqueline Caudill, Dwayne Mackey and Lynn Tuthill.

LYNN TUTHILL

SUBMITTED BY EARONITA STRONG

District 65 members and volunteers wrapped presents for the Humane Society of Eastern Carolina at Greenville Mall on Dec. 13 to raise donations for the organization. Pictured from left are Deborah Hall, Lina Johnson, Ellen Higley, Donna Poe, Jaqueline Caudill, Cynthia Hart, Debbie Austin and Lynn Tuthill (not pictured Martina Christie).

The staff of J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center (JIRDC) and District 7 members donated eight cooked turkeys, stuffing mix, broth and gravy to the Burke United Christian Ministries (BUCM) for Thanksgiving during Nov. 21- 22. Pictured are District 7 members Scott McMahan, Ronnie Fox and District 7 Chairman Henry Belada. Special thanks to Scott and Susan McMahan, Ronnie and Dottie Fox, Norma and Richard Randal, Becky and Chuck Schlein, Henry and Suzanne Belada, Betty Williams, Lisa Poole and the Mimosa Home at JIRDC for helping with our community project for BUCM. Also a special thanks to Todd Drum for helping to spread this message to the staff at JIRDC and helping with Burke County’s needs.

District 65 board members rang the Salvation Army bell at the Colonial Greenville Mall on Dec. 15. Pictured left are Cynthia Brown, Marina Christie, Debbie Austin, District Chairwoman Alicia Simpson, Dwayne Mackey, Cynthia Hart and Lynn Tuthill.

District 13 Chairwoman Linda Colbert and District 13 member Angela Eddie delivered a contribution to Zachariah Alexander, Sr. Lodge 833 PHA, to help purchase toys and food over the holidays.

THE REPORTER • February 2017

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THE REPORTER • February 2017

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MEMBER BENEFITS SEANC announces new dental program with UnitedHealthcare The SEANC Insurance Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that effective January 1, 2017, we signed with UnitedHealthCare to provide dental coverage for members.

Highly competitive in its coverage and premium structure, the new program was approved by the SEANC Board of Governors upon recommendation of the Insurance Board of Trustees.

If you were enrolled in our MetLife Dental plan, you will maintain the same coverage and premium you had with a premium guarantee of three years. You don’t have to worry about your premium increasing for another three-year period. Also, some of your current benefits are enhanced and prenatal dental care and oral cancer screenings have been added as a new benefit with no premium increase.

No action is required on your part for this transition to take place as we strive to make these changes with as little inconvenience to you as possible. You should have already received new dental insurance cards in your mailboxes.

Visit seanc.welcometouhc.com to learn more about this new program. Please feel free to contact a SEANC Insurance Specialist at 919-833-6436 or 800-222-2758 if you have any questions.

Scholarship Season is Here!

Deadline is April 15 to apply for annual SEANC awards Are you a SEANC member going to college? Do you have a son, daughter, legally adopted grandchild or a spouse going to college? Do you want help paying high tuition, room and board and even book bills?

Then apply today for a scholarship from the SEANC Scholarship Foundation. Now is the time to work on your application for the 2017-18 academic year.

Last year, the SEANC Scholarship Foundation and SEANC’s 52 districts gave out more than $100,000 to help members, their spouses and their dependents attend either two- or four-year institutions. This year, you or somebody in your family could be one of those deserving winners!

An application must be turned in to your district scholarship chairperson postmarked no later than April 15.

To find an application and your district’s scholarship chairperson, visit seanc.org/scholarship.

The scholarships awarded by the SEANC Scholarship Foundation and the individual districts are one of the association’s largest benefits for members.

For more information, visit seanc.org/scholarship or contact Carri Derrick at (919) 833-6436.

Choose from Three Categories In addition to the local scholarships offered by the districts, the SEANC Scholarship Foundation offers funding assistance in three categories.

Category 1 — Financial Need Winners are selected based on academic performance (40%), financial need (30%), community involvement (10%), personal statement (10%) and recommendations (10%).

Category 2 — Merit Winners are selected based on academic performance (70%) community involvement (10%), personal statement (10%) and recommendations (10%).

Category 3 — Member-Only Winners are selected based on recommendations (30%), SEANC service (20%), career objectives (20%), personal statement (20%) and community involvement (10%).

Apply Today! Applications for SEANC's scholarships are available online at seanc.org/scholarship.

THE REPORTER • February 2017

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Periodical Postage PAID Raleigh, NC 1621 Midtown Place Raleigh, NC 27609

SEANC launches alternative payments online portal SEANC now has an easy and secure way for you to make the switch to our alternative payment options online! Simply visit apo.seanc.org to sign up for SEANC’s new bank draft feature.

Most members currently pay for dues, insurance premiums, Purchasing Power and EMPAC donations through a monthly payroll deduction, but that option may not always be available. Moving members to an alternative payment option is essential to the future of SEANC. By enrolling in bank draft, you authorize SEANC to make regularly-scheduled deductions from your specified bank account.

Signing up for bank draft is easy. After visiting apo.seanc.org, simply click “Enroll in Bank Draft” to safely and easily enter your information. We’ll take care of the rest!

Don’t know how much you pay for dues and premiums each month? You can also look this information up at apo.seanc.org by clicking on “My Products.”

Is all of this confusing? The site also features a section of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the process.

Please consider SEANC’s alternative payment options today. Visit apo.seanc.org for more information and to set up a bank draft, or call 1-800-222-2758 to speak with a Member Services Receivables Specialist who can help you.

Alternative Payment Options Visit apo.seanc.org or call 1-800-222-2758