March 2017 Scoop

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Friday, March 3, 2017

Small raises, bonuses in Gov. Cooper's first budget proposal

Gov. Roy Cooper unveiled his first state budget

proposal for 2017-2019 on Wednesday that included a 2% or $800 salary increase (whichever is greater) for state employees, as well as a $500 one-time bonus and a one-time bonus of 1.5% for retirees instead of a cost-ofliving adjustment.

Soon after the release, SEANC Executive Director Mitch Leonard sent an email to members giving his take on the proposal. The (Raleigh) News & Observer picked up on his comments and used them in their story on the announcement.

“Politicians on both sides of the aisle don’t seem to realize that the situation is dire for our state employees and retirees who have been left behind by the economic rebound,” Leonard was quoted as stating. “State employees and retirees have lost 10 percent of their buying power since 2010. One out of three state employees make less than $31,000 annually. They are struggling to make ends meet, working two or even three jobs just to feed their families.”

Likewise, SEANC’s lobbyists gave their take on the proposal in the video above.

Also this week, SEANC has launched a new online initiative aimed at informing members on state government issues and encouraging them to take action. Check out engage.seanc.org for more.

And SEANC is also planning a lobby day on March 29.

Read more on these topics in this week’s Legislative Update.

Need Hurricane Matthew relief? We can help!

SEANC is still looking for members who are in need of financial help to deal with the impact of Hurricane Matthew. Thanks to donations from individual members, the SEANC districts and SEIU, we still have funds available. Those interested should click here to download an application.

SEANC welcomed 211 new members in February!

SEANC would like to welcome the 211 new members who chose to stand with their coworkers in support of public services in February, including 101 from the Department of Public Safety alone! New members also came to the association from the departments

of Agriculture, Commerce, Cultural and Natural Resources, Environmental Quality, Health and Human Services, Revenue and Transportation, the N.C. General Assembly, the Division of Employment Security, The Administrative Offices of the Courts, East Carolina University, N.C. A&T State University, N.C. School of the Arts, N.C. State University, UNCChapel Hill, UNC-Charlotte, UNC-Wilmington, UNC Hospitals, Central Piedmont Community College, Forsyth Technical College, Johnston Community College, Vance-Granville Community College, Wake Technical Community College and schools in Bladen, Catawba, Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Gaston, Greene, Harnett, Hoke, Lenoir, Moore, Pitt, Richmond, Wake, Washington, Wayne and Winston-Salem/Forsyth counties.

SEANC has also enlisted the help of Alternative Payment Options enrollers who will be visiting agencies all over the state in coming months to switch members over to bank draft! The members have been trained to answer any question you have as you make the switch.

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

If you would like for a SEANC representative to visit your workplace, contact Member Relations Director Lynn Cote at lcote@seanc.org or call 1-800-222-2758.

State Health Plan to host pre-retirement meetings The State Health Plan will hold a series of Pre-65/Pre-Retirement meetings in coming months. The first meeting will be held on March 21, 2017, in Elizabeth City, with meetings being held through midJuly.

These sessions are planned for state retirees who will be turning 65 in the next 24 months as well as those who are 66 or older and actively working (and perhaps thinking about retirement). Click here to locate a meeting in your area.

Scholarship Applications Now Available Online 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)

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Friday, March 10, 2017

Pay for state employees, retirees at a crisis The N.C. Senate began publicizing small portions of its budget this week, particularly pertaining to education spending, but has yet to announce its plan for state employee raises or retiree cost-of-living adjustments.

SEANC believes the state is facing a crisis in state employee compensation and retiree pension payments. One-in-three state employees make less than $31,000 a year. More than a few of these employees have worked for the state for decades and still haven't worked up to that salary.

With one of the largest budget surpluses in years, lawmakers have a chance to confront this crisis in a meaningful way. State employees and retirees deserve the dignity that comes with a respectable paycheck for an honest day’s work. The state of North Carolina should not have employees who are paid so little that they qualify for food stamps.

Also this week, a legislator on the Joint Committee on Transportation Appropriation asked for information proving that privatization in the Department of Transportation saves taxpayer dollars.

Read this week’s Legislative Update for more on these topics.

Join us for Lobby Day, March 29

All members are invited to take part in a lobby day effort at the N.C. General Assembly from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 29. Members who attend will lobby legislators for better pay, health care and retirement benefits at a crucial time in the state budget process.

If you are interested in participating, contact your district chairperson to RSVP as soon as possible.

Find your district chairperson here: https://www.seanc.org/district-chairpersons If you can’t come on March 29, please consider calling or emailing your legislator to tell them you deserve a raise or cost-of-living adjustment!

Theme park tickets go on SALE at your nearest SECU BRANCH in April All-new wooden roller coaster, InvadR™, opens April 2017!

The Vikings are taking over New France this spring as Busch Gardens ® Williamsburg adds InvadR ™ to its collection of world-class coasters. Rise up to be the hero in this epic conquest. Hold on to your Viking helmet and feel the wind in your beard on the park’s first-ever wooden coaster. Fly over InvadR’s nine air-time hills, including a 74-foot plunge that reaches speeds of almost 50 miles per hour. Blaze through the tunnels and let the world hear your battle cry as you race through the high-banked turns.

Grab your family and run for the hills aboard InvadR. Start planning your trip today and take advantage of the wonderful savings brought to you by SEANC and SECU!

State Health Plan to host pre-retirement meetings The State Health Plan will hold a series of Pre-65/Pre-Retirement meetings in coming months. The first meeting will be held on March 21, 2017, in Elizabeth City, with meetings being held through midJuly.

These sessions are planned for state retirees who will be turning 65 in the next 24 months as well as those who are 66 or older and actively working (and perhaps thinking about retirement). Click here to locate a meeting in your area.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance policy pays benefits to the beneficiary if the cause of death is an accident or if you lose a limb due to an accident you may be paid a benefit. It also provides other benefits such as Travel Assist. Helping provide emergency medical evacuation

assistance and travel services, as well as helpful pre-trip planning assistance, when traveling 100 miles or more away from home on company business or on vacation. And did you know SEANC members receive a $1,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment policy for joining the association!

If you are a member, check us out on the web at www.seanc.org/insurance for more information and on how to purchase additional coverage at competitive rates.

Scholarship Applications Now Available Online 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)

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Friday, March 17, 2017

DOT Secretary signals confidence in employees at confirmation hearing Gov. Roy Cooper’s pick for Secretary of Transportation, Jim Trogdon, appeared before a Senate committee Wednesday for confirmation hearings. The committee approved his nomination as did the full Senate. He stated that he thought state employees in the Department of Transportation were qualified and signaled his willingness to make sure taxpayer funds was not wasted on private contracts.

As you will recall, efforts to privatize much of DOT, particularly in engineering, has come under heavy scrutiny recently with news reports of cost overruns costing taxpayers millions of dollars.

Next week promises to be a busy one. We expect Gov. Cooper to make an important

announcement regarding state employees and retirees. SEANC will also meet with other stakeholder groups and State Health Plan officials to discuss the benefit structure and premium cost for the coming year.

Read more in this week’s Legislative Update.

Leonard celebrates 40 years with SEANC SEANC Executive Director Mitch Leonard celebrated 40 years with the association on Tuesday with a surprise ceremony of family, friends and former coworkers. Leonard (pictured with his family) joined the staff of SEANC’s predecessor group, the North Carolina State Government Employees Association, on March 14, 1977, as the first field representative in its history. He previously worked at the Department of Transportation.

He has been instrumental in the success of the association through good times and not so good times. We commend him for his life of dedication to the betterment of the lives of state employees and retirees. Thanks, Mitch!

Retiree forums a hit SEANC is currently hosting a series of retiree forums across the state, including a successful event in Morganton last week. Pictured, SEANC Executive Director Mitch Leonard updates the crowd in Morganton on retiree health care coverage, the state of the retirement plan and SEANC’s effort to lobby for a cost-of-living adjustment. Forums are planned for Hickory and Kinston next week. If you would like SEANC to host a retiree forum in your area, contact the SEANC Member Relations Department at lcote@seanc.org.

Join us for Lobby Day, March 29 All members are invited to take part in a lobby day effort at the N.C. General Assembly from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 29. Members who attend will lobby legislators for better pay, health care and

retirement benefits at a crucial time in the state budget process.

If you are interested in participating, contact your district chairperson to RSVP as soon as possible.

If you can’t come on March 29, please consider calling or emailing your legislator to tell them you deserve a raise or cost-of-living adjustment!

Opening Spring 2017

Take a step back through time and experience the home-grown thrills of an early-era Carolina County Fair. True to this classic tradition, guests will experience a blast from the past with four new rides, new food offerings, and an atmosphere full of timeless fun for all ages!

Discounted tickets go on sale at your local North Carolina State Employees Credit Union April 3, 2017.

Carving out time each day to spend with your pet not only makes her happier, it can make you healthier.

Pets: the ultimate miracle drug Numerous studies have shown that stroking a pet can reduce a person's blood pressure and lower stress. That's because this simple act can boost serotonin and dopamine levels, elevating your mood, while stress hormones like cortisol take a back seat.

Strengthen the bond Spending quality time with your pet can be as simple as sitting together quietly. Petting and talking to your furry friend is even better-you reap the physical benefits and your pet feels loved.

Manage your pet's health with Nationwide® Nationwide is the smart choice for pet owners who want to manage vet bills the easy way. Get a free, no obligation quote at PetsVPI.com today or call 877-PETS-VPI (1-877-738-7874). Members can enroll anytime.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance policy pays benefits to the beneficiary if the cause of death is an accident or if you lose a limb due to an accident you may be paid a benefit. It also provides other benefits such as Travel Assist. Helping provide emergency medical evacuation assistance and travel services, as well as helpful pre-trip planning assistance, when traveling 100 miles or more away from home on company business or on vacation. And did you know SEANC members receive a $1,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment policy for joining the association!

If you are a member, check us out on the web at www.seanc.org/insurance for more information and on how to purchase additional coverage at competitive rates.

Scholarship Applications Now Available Online 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)

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Friday, March 24, 2017

SEANC pushes for adequate raises, COLAs as budget process moves forward SEANC lobbyists have worked hard this week to gather bipartisan support for a bill to grant a $2,400 pay increase for all state employees and another for a 2-percent cost-of-living adjustment for retirees.

The $2,400 raise is just the first step of SEANC's plan to raise all state employee wages above $31,000 annually. The 2-percent COLA would be a good start in helping retirees who continue to suffer.

The need for fairness in pay raises is evident by the News & Observer’s article today on the discrepancies at Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro. Some psychiatrists there received raises last year that are more than others’ total salary.

Also this week, in what SEANC Director of Operations Chuck Stone called "bitter medicine," the State

Health Plan Board of Trustees voted Wednesday afternoon to impose a $25 premium on the 70/30 plan for active employees only, and a $50 premium on the 80/20 plan for active employees and early retirees.

The changes are part of a package meant to stabilize the plan for the next four years without further increases. Click here or below to watch a video with SEANC Director of Operations Chuck Stone explaining the changes in detail.

Click here to read more in this week’s Legislative Update.

Gov. Cooper signs Executive Order on SEANC access and worker representation

SEANC’s Executive Committee gathered at the N.C. Executive Mansion on Thursday to witness Gov. Roy Cooper sign an Executive Order to guarantee access for SEANC to best represent the needs of state employees throughout state government.

The order rescinds Executive Order 84 signed by Gov. Pat McCrory in December 2015 that stripped the rights of SEANC members to meet with officials and department heads on matters of importance in the workplace. It also denied SEANC access to workers at many state facilities and denied delegates the ability to attend the annual SEANC Convention.

Gov. Cooper’s Executive Order 5 calls for reasonable access at all facilities for employee associations with at least 5,000 members. Further, it recommends that the UNC System, the community college system, the State Board of Education and the heads of each Council of State agency follow suit.

The order guarantees SEANC annual meetings with the governor and quarterly meetings with the State Human Resources Director and representatives of each executive branch agency. And SEANC officers and delegates to SEANC’s annual convention will be allowed three days of managerially approved leave.

This increased cooperation between management and employees can only result in positive outcomes for the state and the taxpayers,” said SEANC Executive Director Mitch Leonard. We look forward to working with the Gov. Cooper’s administration to make sure more of the best and brightest choose careers in state service.”

Gov. Cooper added in a statement, “I want to encourage state employees to participate in an ongoing dialog about the direction of state government. This Executive Order will help facilitate opportunities for state employees to voice their perspectives, ideas and concerns with leadership moving forward.”

Join us for Lobby Day, March 29 All members are invited to take part in a lobby day effort at the N.C. General Assembly from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday. Members who attend will lobby legislators for better pay, health care and retirement benefits at a crucial time in the state budget process.

If you are interested in participating, contact your district chairperson to RSVP as soon as possible.

If you can’t come on March 29, please consider calling or emailing your legislator to tell them you deserve a raise or cost-of-living adjustment!

Seven things to know about your United Dental PPO plan: 1. You can see any dentist in or outside of the large national network.

2. You can save money if you see a dentist who is part of the network.

3. You don’t need a referral to see a specialist.

4. Preventive services are covered at little or no cost to you.

5. Getting an estimate for dental services that may cost more than $500 is a good idea.

6. There’s a website just for you—myuhc.com.

7. Call UHC at the number on your ID card anytime you have a question.

Spring has sprung …Time to get out of the house and enjoy some fun!

PNC Arena has two great events this spring that offer the opportunity for you to save money.

April 22nd - Women’s Empowerment – Featuring Keynote Speaker Taraji P. Henson Radio One of Raleigh presents Women’s Empowerment 2017. Women’s Empowerment & Networking Expo was created in 1995 in honor of Women’s History Month. This event was formed with the purpose of inspiring, encouraging and educating. Throughout this expo style event, workshops, seminars and lectures are conducted that focus on physical, mental, spiritual, financial and emotional health. The goal of this entire event is to motivate, inspire and rejuvenate all who are in attendance.

This year’s keynote speaker is NAACP Image Award Winner and Academy Award Nominee Taraji P. Henson. Taraji’s breakthrough role came in 2001 as Yvette in John Singleton’s Baby Boy. Since then, she has diversified her portfolio by securing roles in projects such as; "The Curious Case of Benjamin

Button," "Think Like a Man," "Person of Interest" and "Hustle and Flow." Her work as Cookie Lyon on Fox’s hit series "Empire" has earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Series Drama. Taraji’s most recent role as Katherine Johnson in the Oscar-nominated film "Hidden Figures" garnered a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.

Save $2 off the Gate Price Seating Chart Link: https://www.thepncarena.com/assets/img/WEMP17_MapOnsale-c5121b4562.jpg Purchase Here: http://www1.ticketmaster.com/womens-empowerment-networking-raleigh-northcarolina-04-22-2017/event/0E0052549A3F4D5A?camefrom=CFC_RBC

June 3rd & 4th - Sesame Street Live – Make A New Friend No matter where you’re from or where you’ve been, everyone is special - so join in! Elmo, Grover, Abby Cadabby and their Sesame Street friends welcome Chamki, Grover’s friend from India, to Sesame Street. Together, they explore the universal fun of friendship and celebrate cultural similarities, from singing and dancing, to sharing cookies! Join the fun and make a memory with your friends and family!

Save up to $5 off the Gate Price Seating Chart Link: https://www.thepncarena.com/assets/img/SSL17_Map-200cdce9fc.jpg Purchase Here: http://www.ticketmaster.com/venueartist/115097/1869798?camefrom=CFC_RBC The Promo Code for both events is: PNC9

Scholarship Applications Now Available Online 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)

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Friday, March 31, 2017

Pay raise, COLA bills have bipartisan support!

The likelihood of true, meaningful pay raises for state employees and cost-of-living adjustments for retirees got huge lifts this week when bills were filed for both with bipartisan support.

Rep. Chris Malone (R-Wake) filed House Bill 540 which would give a pay increase of $2,400 this year for all state employees with a base salary of less than $100,000 a year.

Rep. Jonathan Jordan (R-Ashe) also filed a bill for state retirees this week that has gained bipartisan support. House Bill 497 would grant a 2-percent cost-of-living adjustment for all state retirees this year. A similar bill has been filed in the Senate as

well.

Read more about these issues in this week’s Legislative Update!

Lobby Day a success as members visit legislators!

SEANC members showed up in full force on Wednesday to lobby legislators for better pay, health care and retirement benefits for state employees and retirees. The members spoke at length to many key legislators, and then packed the gallery of the House Chamber as session began.

House Speaker Tim Moore acknowledged SEANC members by extending “courtesies to the gallery” for those in attendance, which was by then a sea of SEANC blue!

Click the video above for a recap of the day’s events or click here for a Facebook album.

SEANC welcomes 215 new members!

SEANC would like to welcome the 215 new members who chose to stand with their coworkers in support of public services in February, including 104 from the Department of Public Safety alone!

New members also came to the association from the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Cultural and Natural Resources, Environmental Quality, Health and Human Services, Revenue and Transportation, the N.C. General Assembly, the Division of Employment Security, The Administrative Offices of the Courts, Local Government, the N.C. General Assembly, Appalachian State University, N.C. A&T State University, N.C. Central University, N.C. State University, East Carolina University, UNC-Pembroke, Blue Ridge Community College, James Sprunt Technical College, Pitt Community

College, UNC Hospitals and schools in Alamance, Cabarrus, Clinton, Cumberland, Harnett, Lenoir, Martin, Onslow, Robeson, Union, Wake, Wayne and Winston-Salem/Forsyth counties.

With last week’s announcement of a new Executive Order signed by Gov. Roy Cooper to allow SEANC better access at all facilities, now is the time to recruit new members and talk to fellow members about signing up for bank draft online. Visit apo.seanc.org and click “Enroll in Bank Draft” to safely and easily enter your information. We’ll take care of the rest!

If you would like for a SEANC representative to visit your workplace, contact Member Relations Director Lynn Cote at lcote@seanc.org or call 1-800-222-2758.

Theme park tickets on sale Monday!

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), starting

Monday members can 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.

Scholarship Applications Now Available Online 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)

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