The state must give raises and COLAs this year
Did you know your pay was cut last year?
It may not be evident in the paycheck you take home each month. But it’s there, every time you pay your rent or for medicine or groceries. Each year that state employees and retirees do not receive a significant raise, they fall further and further behind.
The annual Consumer Price Index shows that the cost of goods and services rose by 2.1 percent last year, and since state employees got a one-time bonus of $750 rather than a raise, while retirees didn’t get anything, both groups’ salaries bought 2.1 percent less than they did a year earlier — an effective pay decrease.
The “Carolina Comeback” Gov. Pat McCrory loves to talk about does not pertain to state employees and retirees. Since 2010, state employees have seen an effective pay decrease of 8.96 percent. Even worse, retirees’ pension checks now buy a whopping 10.5 percent less than they did in 2010.
This has to change. State employees and retirees deserve more respect than this. The state needs to raise pay
SEANC SALARY AND RETIREMENT SYSTEM INCREASE HISTORY
enough to meet the rising cost of goods and services this year.
SEANC is advocating for a 5-percent pay increase for active employees in the General Assembly’s short session, which is already under way. SEANC will also call on legislators to respect retirees with a 2-percent cost-of-living adjustment and a change to the retirement formula of 0.02 to 1.84. This would give retirees a comparable increase to active employees.
Projections show a large surplus of state revenue this year once again. The money is there. These increases are but a drop in the bucket to the effective pay cuts of the last decade. It is literally the least the legislature can do.
Gov. McCrory has already announced that he would seek a 5-percent raise and other bonuses
for teachers, but made no mention of raises for other state employees or retirees. He needs to understand that while teachers do need raises, all state employees and retirees are in desperate need of a meaningful increase.
Please contact your legislators today and tell them you can’t take another pay cut.
Lobby legislators for your raises
Find out more about why you should join us at the legislature this short session in Statewide EMPAC Chairman Tony Smith's column on Page 2. Visit seanc.org/legislators to find your legislators' contact information.
PUBLIC POLICY
Calling all members to the capital
With the General Assembly back in session, it’s important to remind every member of what we can do to make sure state employee issues get the attention they deserve.
In an earlier issue, I challenged members to re-engage in grassroots lobbying by contacting their legislators in some way — preferably in person by making the trip to Raleigh.
Grassroots lobbying is what SEANC and its predecessor organizations were founded on. And with this being an election year, we can have a significant impact on the debate by being engaged. Legislators are already keenly aware that state employees vote. It’s why there’s usually a good chance we’ll get raises and cost-of-living adjustments for retirees in election years.
Simply put, politicians try their best not to ruffle feathers in election years. We need to make sure they know that by ignoring our needs — pay raises, affordable health care and retirement security — they are ruffling a whole bunch of feathers.
Come to Raleigh and talk with your legislators in person about SEANC’s priorities. Our staff can set up meetings and prepare with you to have productive conversations with your representatives. An in-person visit is much more effective than a call or email.
But if you can’t make it to Raleigh, you still have opportunities to make a difference. Members of the General Assembly aren't like the president, a U.S. Senator or even the governor. They usually live near you. You may even run into them in church or at the grocery store. Do not waste any chance to let them know state
employees and retirees matter.
Before you say that you “don’t want to bother them,” remember, you are a voter. In that respect, they work for you, especially in an election year. Don’t be afraid to speak up.
And, you can always call or email lawmakers if you are unable to contact them in other ways.
Direct lobbying by members keeps a personal pressure on legislators who are endorsed by and who receive money from EMPAC, making sure they are following through on their promises to us — North Carolina’s state employees and retirees.
We have had several victories in the past that have come as a direct result of lobbying by members. Most recently, in February, we were able to stop a massive cost shift to all state employees and retirees from the State Health Plan Board of Trustees because enough of us spoke out.
But we need more of you stepping up. We need participation from everyone. It can’t be the same few members meeting over and over with legislators. We need fresh faces at the General Assembly every day. They need to know that there are a lot of us, which means we are significant.
Join me in Raleigh one day during this short session to show our elected officials that we are vital to North Carolina's success.
To find your legislators' contact information, go to www.seanc.org/legislators or contact SEANC Government Relations at 1-800-222-2758.
1. Seek to reestablish a fully paid individual health care benefit equivalent to the current PPO 80/20 in place as of June 30, 2013, for all active qualified and retired state employees
2. SEANC will oppose privatization and downsizing of state government services
3. Request that GA fully fund employee salary compensation prior to considering other appropriations
4. Seek to have SEANC continue to protect dues deduction options from being deleted from the North Carolina state payroll
5. SEANC supports continuation of a defined benefit retirement plan for current and future state retirees
6. Seek cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for retired state employees in the amount equal to active state employee pay increases
7. Oppose legislation that would remove state employees from the protections of the State Human Resources Act
8. Seek to provide the state income tax exemption provided through the Bailey Act to all retired state employees
9. Seek restoration of the employer's contribution to the Retirement System that will at least match the employee’s contribution
10. Seek legislation allowing SEANC full access to public workplaces for the purposes of member recruitment without employee intimidation or enforced limits to SEANC information, personnel and volunteers SEANC's
Statewide EMPAC Chairman Tony Smith
District 39 sponsored a legislative update lunch on April 4 in Raleigh. At left, District 39 member Mark Dearmon addresses the guests. Below, District 39 members Kathleen Snyder (left), Sherry McFeaters (right) and George Thiessen work the registration desk.
REPORTER THE
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.
SEANC Member Relations Representative Johnny Davison and District 2 Chairman Cliff Johnson share SEANC information with attendents at a Blue Ridge Community College event on April 6.
District 7 Chairman Henry Belada speaks to county employees, state employees and retirees at a SEANC informational meeting and discussion forum sponsored by Districts 5, 6 and 7 in Morganton on March 31.
SEANC AUDIT COMMITTEE NOTICE
The 2015 SEANC Annual Convention amended our bylaws to establish an audit committee comprised of members to review and audit SEANC financial operations at both the state and district levels, in order to ensure the financial integrity of our association (Article VIII, Section 3). Major responsibilities of the audit committee include:
1. Receiving and investigating allegations or concerns involving financial operations or mismanagement at the district/state level
2. Selecting an independent N.C.-licensed Certified Public Accountant to prepare an annual audit and ensure implementation of recommendations
3. Recommending changes to district/state financial operations
Members having concerns involving financial operations are encouraged to report them to the audit committee email address at auditcommittee@seanc.org.
Audit Committee Chairman Wayne Holliday
The Reporter, USPS 009-852 (ISSN 1069 2142), is published six times a year in the months of November, February, April, May, July and September for $2.50 per year, per member, by the State Employees Association of North Carolina, Inc., 1621 Midtown Place, Raleigh, N.C. 27609. Periodicals postage paid at Raleigh and additional offices.
POSTMASTER, Please send address changes to: THE REPORTER ● 1621 Midtown Place ● Raleigh, NC 27609
LYNN
COTE
ANNUAL MEETINGS
Top 3 reasons to attend your district's annual meeting
Now is your chance to directly affect the association’s priorities and guiding principles for the coming year by bringing ideas and concerns to your district’s annual meeting before they are decided upon at convention. Here are three reasons to attend:
1. DETERMINE SEANC's DIRECTION
You are the best source for identifying opportunities to improve your workplace practices. Policy platform objectives and bylaws amendments are voted on at district-level annual meetings before being considered by a statewide committee, who then may pass them on to the convention for a vote.
Policy platform objectives decided
The policy platform objectives outline the procedures and goals that guide the association’s lobbying activities. They offer a way for us to bring our collective
How
recommendations to the attention of those with the authority to enact change — namely, the governor and the General Assembly.
Bylaws amendments decided
Bylaws keep SEANC moving forward. They define the purpose and internal structure of our organization. When you vote at your annual meeting, you are making a difference on the ground floor. Changes in bylaws begin at district level and must be approved by at least one district before they are brought to the state bylaws committee. If approved, they are presented at the annual convention to be voted on by all delegates.
Experts available to assist you
Chairpersons and policy platform and bylaws committee members are available at the meeting to assist you in developing your ideas into formal
amendments or objectives and in drafting revisions to existing policy.
2. DELEGATES, DISTRICT OFFICERS ELECTED
Delegates to the convention and district officers are chosen at annual meetings. In addition, candidates for SEANC's statewide officers will lay out their own visions for the coming year and ask for your support.
3. UPDATE ON ISSUES, GAIN NEW IDEAS
Representatives from the SEANC staff will provide an update on the legislative session, State Health Plan, retirement system, membership news and more.
Also, the district annual meeting gives you the opportunity to gain new ideas on ways to protect, enhance and advocate for your rights and benefits
The list of annual meetings is available on Page 5. Please take a second to look over the list and mark your calendar to attend.
SEANC's Policy Platform Objectives and Bylaws Amendments are Developed
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
19
21
22
25
26
27
37
39
42
43
75
Disciplinary Appeals
■ Grievances / Just Cause
■ Exempt Designation
■ Health Care Registry
■ Whistleblower Cases
■ Dismissal Appeals
■ Law Enforcement Certification
State employees are good people. But even good people make mistakesmistakes that violate your rights as a career employee, discriminate against you, or cost you a promotion or job.
My practice is restricted to state personnel disciplinary and licensing matters. I have litigated personnel cases in the Office of Administrative Hearings since the 1990s.
If you have a grievance, disciplinary appeal, or any state employment matter, call (919) 865-2572 or email me at michael@mbyrnelawnc.com.
Learn how I put 20 years of experience and consistent success in state personnel cases to work for you - when your rights are on the line.
LAW OFFICES OF MICHAEL C. BYRNE
Silent Auction
SEANC Scholarship Foundation Bowl-a-Thon & Silent Auction
Saturday, May 14
1-3 p.m. or 3-5 p.m.
WHERE: Buffaloe Lanes North 5900 Oak Forest Drive Raleigh, NC 27616
Buffaloe Lanes North 5900 Oak Forest Drive ● Raleigh, NC
WHEN: February 28 from 1-3 p.m. or 3-5 p.m.
HOW MUCH: $20 per person or $100 per team of six (shoes are included)
Proceeds from the event will be used to award thousands of dollars in educational scholarships to SEANC members, their spouses and their dependent children.
Awards Great Prizes
REGISTER: Complete a registration form today! Payments can be made via registration form online at www.seanc.org/bowl-a-thon with a credit card (Visa, Mastercard and Discover accepted) or checks made payable to SEANC Scholarship Foundation. Deadline to register is February 6.
Tickets: $20 per person or $100 per team of six To register, sponsor a lane or for more information visit www.seanc.org/bowl-a-thon
1621 Midtown Place Raleigh, NC 27609
Health Plan Board to Discuss Changes Again
The State Health Plan Board of Trustees will meet on May 13 to vote on changes to the plan that could affect state employees’ benefits and premiums in the coming year.
If you’ll recall, in late January the State Treasurer’s office recommended changes to the plan that would have included cutting the PPO 80/20 option as well as spousal coverage currently available to plan members. Officials claimed the changes were a response to a mandate from the General Assembly that they take “sufficient cost-saving measures” in order to receive future funding.
SEANC released a video soon after the proposal was announced highlighting the many changes and the negative consequences of them that went “viral” through SEANC social media outlets.
At the Feb. 5 SHP board meeting, Rep. Darren Jackson (D-Wake) asked the board to delay the changes until the legislature returned to session. SEANC Director of Operations Chuck Stone spoke on behalf of the association, and SEANC’s representative on the board, former president Charles Johnson motioned to delay benefits changes until the board’s May meeting.
As of publication, the General Assembly had yet to provide a definition of what it considers "sufficient measures," and plan officials had not released details on the changes they will recommend to the trustees at the May meeting.
SEANC will remain vigilant against detrimental changes to SEANC members’ health care benefits. Stone intends to speak out at the meeting as well.
Be sure to pay attention to SEANC social media outlets on Facebook and Twitter for updates on the State Health Plan Board of Trustees’ May 13 meeting.
