July 2021 • Vol. 39, Issue 5
THE
REPORTER
State Employees Association of North Carolina
Senate budget inadequate for employees, retirees The N.C. Senate passed a low-ball budget proposal on June 25 that included meager raises for most state employees and no increase for retirees. In addition to the pay changes exhibited in the table to the right, the Senate’s plan also called for the creation of a Department of Adult Correction to separate prison operations into its own cabinet level agency. It’s important to note that the Senate proposal is one step in the budget process. The House will release its own proposal in the coming weeks, then the two chambers will negotiate a compromise through a conference committee. The budget process is likely to last well past the July 1 start of the new fiscal biennium and through the summer, with some legislators signaling that compromise won’t be reached until August at the earliest. SEANC Executive Director Ardis Watkins expressed the association’s frustration with the Senate’s budget in a statement when it was released. “There is no excuse to be stingy this
N.C. Senate Proposal
Gov. Cooper’s Proposal
• 3% pay raises over two years for most state employees, teachers, UNC and Community College staff • 7% average pay increase for corrections officers and a new salary schedule • $13/hour minimum wage for non-certified public school and Comm. College employees • Employees earning less than $75,000 annually and all law enforcement, correctional officers and staff, and employees at 24-hour facilities receive a $1,500 bonus • Employees earning more than $75,000 annually receive a $1,000 bonus • No cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) or bonus for retirees
Most state employees • 5% pay raise over two years • $1,000 bonus in each of the next two years UNC, Community College, and non-certified school personnel • 7.5% pay raise over two years • $4,000 bonus over two years • Minimum $15 wage for non-certified school personnel Teachers • more than 10% pay raise over two years • $4,000 in bonuses over two years Retirees • 2% COLA • 2% bonus in EACH of the next two years
year,” Watkins said. “SEANC is totally perplexed why the Senate proposed insignificant raises and shutting out retirees when the State is drowning in money. If ever there was a time to give significant raises, this is the year.” “That said, we applaud the equitable treatment of state employees and teachers
and a higher minimum wage for school employees as those are important principles SEANC has fought hard for and are happy to see included,” she added. “As the budget process continues, SEANC will fight to see suitable raises for the dedicated public servants and retirees who serve the people of our state.”
‘Hybrid’ SEANC Convention to be held in person, virtually The SEANC Board of Governors voted at its May 22 meeting to hold an inperson convention this year, with access to an online version for those delegates who wish not to attend. The event will be held at the Sheraton Koury Convention Center in Greensboro. It is scheduled for Sept. 8-11, 2021.
Delegates need to choose whether or not they will attend the convention in person by July 24, when districts must submit this information to the SEANC Central Office. Delegates will not be permitted to attend both in-person and online. All items on the agenda requiring
votes will take place on Friday, Sept. 10. Delegates who attend virtually will only attend Friday’s session. Online attendees will be able to vote in election and on other important matters that arise. The theme of this year’s convention will be “Driven to Succeed.”
2021 DISCOUNT THEME PARK TICKETS Tickets can be purchased at SEANC.org/themeparks