State Employees Association of North Carolina
REPORTER THE
SEANC secures largest two-year pay raise in a decade
SEANC’s persistence this legislative session paid off in the form of the largest two-year pay raises for most state employees in more than a decade.
It wasn’t an easy win for SEANC. Our lobbyists actually had to fight this battle twice in the same session after Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed the legislature’s full budget that included the raises.
SEANC convinced leaders that pay raises should not be used as a bargaining chip in the negotiation. Instead, the legislature passed by unanimous vote in late August a “mini budget” bill giving most state employees a 5% pay increase over the next two years – 2.5% in each year, as well as five bonus days of leave. This includes all employees who work
for a state agency. In addition to the pay raise, correctional employees at facilities with high vacancy rates will receive a supplement of up to $7,500.
The legislature’s full spending plan included a one-time bonus for retirees and money for increases for university, community college and public school employees as well as retirees. The House voted on Sept. 11 to override Cooper’s veto, but the Senate had yet to take up the vote as of Oct. 18.
Sen. Phil Berger said the legislature planned to adjourn by Oct. 31 and would address pay raises for employees at the university systems, community colleges and public schools, and retirees in a mini-budget bill before it left.
The issue of prison reform also loomed as the session neared an end.
The House unanimously passed Senate Bill 579, which directs the Joint Program Evaluation Committee to study making the Department of Corrections a separate cabinet-level agency.
This bill is a product of Sen. Bob Steinburg’s Select Committee on Prison Safety, and was one of the top recommendations from SEANC’s report on prison safety, issued in January after more than a year of input from correctional personnel around the state.
SEANC’s lobbyists will be at the legislature throughout the session to make sure your voices are heard.
State Health Plan Open Enrollment runs Nov. 2-19
Open Enrollment for the State Health Plan will be held Nov. 2-19.
Changes made during this time are for the benefit year beginning Jan. 1, 2020. Please visit the State Health Plan’s website at www.shpnc.org for additional information including videos, premium rates, plan comparisons and what action members may need to take during this time.
Members will have access to the same broad, statewide provider network as they do today, which is the Blue Options network administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. This includes all North Carolina hospitals.
Open Enrollment Decision Guides should arrive in mailboxes in late October.
The annual open enrollment period is a great time to check SEANC's insurance products to see how we can help you save on supplemental plans, vision, dental, life, home, auto and others.
Visit seanc.org/insurance or call 919-752-3350 to discuss our programs.
The Plan’s Eligibility and Enrollment Support Center will have extended hours during open enrollment:
• Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.
• Saturdays, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Sundays, Noon - 5 p.m.
This office can be reached by dialing 855-859-0966.
SEANC signs on to support CON reform
SEANC joined with several groups in October to file a brief in support of a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state's Certificate of Need (CON) law.
CON laws require that hospitals and other providers must obtain permission from a state planning board to build a new facility or expand on an existing one. This allows large established hospital groups to prevent competition, which leads directly to higher prices for consumers like the State Health Plan and its members.
North Carolina has one of the most restrictive CON laws in the country, and is one of the many reasons the state ranks 50th in the nation for health care costs.
REPORTER THE
Jonathan owens, Editor-In-Chief
Beth Dew, Managing Editor
amanDa wise, 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.
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
MEMBERS IN ACTION
District 42 members and friends gathered at the SEANC office on Aug. 24 to assemble care kits for two area domestic violence safe harbors. More than 2,100 items were placed in 198 bags — 157 bags for adults and 24 bags for children. This event was spearheaded by District 42 Emerging Leaders Chairwoman Tracy Webb. Assisting district members with the packing were State Emerging Leaders Council Chairwoman Emily Jones from District 41 and William Puryear from District 21.
The September issue of The Reporter contained an incorrect photo for Katlyn Blackwell, who won a $1,000 scholarship. She attends East Carolina University and is the daughter of Yvette Franklin of District 46. The correct photo is above.
SEANC President Jimmy Davis and Statewide Member Discount Chairman Tim Southard met with workers at the Polk County Clerk of Court’s Office on Aug. 30. Davis and Southard are both members of District 4, as are the employees pictured.
Western Region Representative Cliff Johnson met with new member Jennifer Smith, Director or Nursing at Julian F. Keith Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Center, on Aug. 21 during a member appreciation event.
Christy Beasly (left) and Jayda Collins received scholarships at District 21's annual meeting. Beasly attends UNC Pembroke and Jayda Collins attends Hampton University.
District 2 Member Ellen Moss (right) signed up a new member at an employee appreciation event on Aug. 20 at the Buncombe County Courthouse.
District 65 Membership Chairwoman Alicia Simpson thanks member Neichelle Bell for setting up an event at ECU Physicians Neurology Services on May 20, where 16 new members were recruited.
SUBMITTED BY SHIRLEY BELL
JOHNNY DAVISON
JOHNNY DAVISON
JOHNNY DAVISON
2019 CONVENTION
'It is my goal to lead SEANC to new heights'
As we near the end of our fiscal year, I can honestly say this has been a difficult year, but we accomplished a lot. It is my goal to take the lessons I have learned into the next year and lead SEANC to new heights. These are some of my goals for 2019-2020.
First, I’m getting married in two weeks, but we will talk about that later.
I hope to see us continue to grow membership. Spillman Grice will continue to lead the membership committee and work closely with Director of Member Relations Lynn Cote to increase our membership. Membership is the lifeblood of our association and we must be diligent in our recruiting efforts. They have done an outstanding job this past year, and I am sure they will continue the hard work.
Another area of the utmost importance is our government relations department, led by the best dang lobbyist around, Ardis Watkins. We have become the top association to be reckoned with at the legislative building and we must
STATE PERSONNEL CASES: PROTECTING STATE EMPLOYEE RIGHTS
Representing State Employees in Grievances, Court of Appeals, and NC Office of Administrative Hearings
■ 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) 274-9020 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 OFFICE OF MICHAEL C. BYRNE
150
continue to grow and foster relationships with likeminded legislators and educate those who oppose us. We must fight for pay raises for state employees, increased cost-of-living adjustments for retirees, support for our health care and retirement, and support the Clear Pricing Project.
Ardis and her team did an excellent job this year taking on the big hospital systems and their over 100 lobbyists. I challenge each district to bring your members to the legislative building and work with our government relations team. Meet with your elected representatives at home and remind them, they are elected to represent the constituents that elected them, not just select donors. Thank them when they do support state employees. Take time to speak to them and build relationships.
We also must continue to grow our EMPAC. We have too many members only donating $1 and way too many that do not contribute at all. If you are here tonight and fall into one of these categories, I urge you before you leave here tonight, to take time to increase you donation or become a member of the $3 club. I look forward to the upcoming year and our EMPAC endorsements. Mark Dearmon has done a great job stepping into the role of EMPAC Chairman and will continue to do so in the upcoming year.
Another thing I want us to work on this year is strengthening our own unity. I asked the AV crew to play “We are family” today because that is how I have always felt about SEANC. We are all a family. One big ol’, sometimes dysfunctional, family. I honestly do love each and every one of you. We all need to work together to make our members’ lives better.
Like you, I want what’s best for our members. That’s why we are all here. It’s important that we all remember SEANC’s mission this year as we go about our work as an association. I look forward to serving as your president for the coming year, and I hope each of you will commit to working with me to continue building this great association.
The following are excerpts from SEANC President Jimmy Davis' address to delegates at the awards banquet at the 36th Annual SEANC Convention on Sept. 7.
SEANC President Jimmy Davis
2019-2020 SEANC BOARD
President
Jimmy Davis
District 4
Forest City Department of Public Safety (retired)
First Vice
President
Martha Fowler
District 19
Mebane
UNC-Chapel Hill (retired)
Second Vice
President
Kirk Montgomery
District 25
Burlington Department of Health & Human Services
Treasurer
Chevella L. Thomas
District 27
Durham
North Carolina
Central University (retired)
Immediate
Past President
Stanley W. Drewery
District 67
Grifton Department of Public Safety (retired)
Piedmont Region
Chenell Rose
District 12
Charlotte
Department of Public Safety
North Central Region
Brenda Williams
District 44
Raleigh
State Treasurer’s Office
South Central Region
Jeremy Register
District 23
Whiteville Department of Transportation
Eastern Region
Rita Woods
District 68
Creswell Department of Public Safety (retired)
Western Region
Cliff Johnson
District 2
Waynesville Department of Public Safety (retired)
Retiree Council
Chairman Benny Brigman
District 58
Hookerton Department of Public Safety (retired)
Insurance Board of Trustees Chairwoman
Janice Smith
District 3
Fleetwood
Appalachian State University
District 1
Mark Dehart
Whittier
Western Carolina University
District 3
Anne Castro
Bakersville
Mayland Community College (retired)
District 4
Caroline Dedmon
Shelby Department of Transportation (retired)
District 5
Tony Smith Morganton Department of Public Safety (retired)
District 6
Sonya Akbar Morganton Department of Health & Human Services (retired)
District 10
Tonia Warnic
Huntersville
Department of Public Safety
District 11
Jamie Bennett Morven
Department of Transportation
District 13
Mary Clark
Charlotte
Central Piedmont Community College
District 16
Willie Bailey
Pfafftown
Winston-Salem
State University (retired)
District 17
Kemrey LaMarr McLeansville
Department of Transportation
Secretary
Betty Gautier
District 38
Benson
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (retired)
Parliamentarian
Joyce B. Shaw District 69
Elizabeth City
Elizabeth City State University
Parliamentarian
Kim Martin
District 10
Concord Department of Public Safety
District 7
Henry Belada Morganton Department of Health & Human Services (retired)
District 8
Julie Jenkins
Hiddenite Department of Public Safety
District 9
Jamie Robinson Taylorsville Department of Transportation (retired)
District 18
Lisa MartinBrower
Rockingham Department of Public Safety
District 19
Anthony Weaver Rougemont Department of Public Safety (retired)
District 20
Jacque Chatman
Red Springs Department of Public Safety
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
2019 CONVENTION
District 24 member A.J. Albertson sang the national anthem.
State Treasurer Dale Folwell poses for a picture with North Central Region Representative Brenda Williams, who works in the Treasurer's office.
District 16 member Steve Lawson served as master of ceremonies at the Saturday evening banquet.
District 65 delegates from East Carolina University pose for a group picture.
District 38 member and SEANC staffer C.J. Stephens reacts after winning the grand prize of $6,000 in the annual SEANC Scholarship Foundation raffle, as Foundation Chairman George Theissen looks on.
District 20 member Wanda Hunt and District 20 Chairwoman Jacque Chatman catch up in the convention hall.
PHOTOS BY AMANDA WISE
SEANC Executive Director Robert Broome poses with District 21 delegates.
Legislative Reception
Rep. Joe John (D-Wake) and Rep. Yvonne Holley (D-Wake) with members.
Rep. Pat Hurley (R-Randolph) with District 17 member Walton Jones (right).
EMPAC Chairman Mark Dearmon and District 68 member Quinterline Bowen with Sen. Erica Smith (D-Northampton).
President Jimmy Davis shakes hands with Rep. Chaz Beasley (D-Mecklenburg) as District 5 Chairman Tony Smith looks on.
Rep. Michael Wray (D-Northampton) with District 62 member Raymond Smith.
District 6 members Charles Scruggs (left) and Dale Ellis (right) with Rep. Hugh Blackwell (R-Burke).
President Jimmy Davis presented the 2018-19 SEANC Executive Committee with a token of his appreciation for their commitment to the organization.
PHOTOS BY AMANDA WISE
2019 CONVENTION
Retiree Council Chairman and District 58 member Benny Brigman received the Bob Hopper Award for Distinguished Service on retiree issues.
District 42 member Tracy Webb received the Member of the Year Award.
District 64 Chairwoman Latina Shelley received the District Chairperson of the Year Award
Planner Tiffany Woodard received the Darrell Arnold Awards for excellence as SEANC staff members.
District 58 Chairman Chuck Stone received the Distinguished Service Award
The Emerging Leaders Council presented awards to North Central Region Representative Brenda Willliams (left), William Puryear of District 21 and Carl Elliot of District 69.
District 17 Chairman Kemrey Lamarr and District 22 Chairwoman Deborah Harney accept the District of the Year Awards from State Awards Chairwoman Pam Hailey.
Member Discount Contest Winners: First Place ($350) — Tracy Webb (District 42) with 69 new businesses; Second Place ($250) — Tim Southard (District 4) with 50 new businesses; Third Place ($150) — Henry Belada (District 7) with 15 new businesses.
Steinburg named Legislator of the Year
EMPAC, the political arm of the State Employees Association of North Carolina, presented Sen. Bob Steinburg (R-Camden) with its Lisa B. Mitchell Legislator of the Year Award on Oct. 7 at the 36th Annual SEANC Convention in Greensboro.
In presenting the award, EMPAC Chairman Mark Dearmon highlighted Steinburg’s efforts to shine a light on the dangers facing correctional officers and staff at the state’s prisons.
Steinburg’s district contains the two prisons where five correctional personnel were murdered in 2017 in separate attacks by inmates. He is currently chair of the Senate’s Select Committee on Prison Safety.
Senator Steinburg served three terms in
the House before he ran for the Senate and won in 2018. Following the 2017 attacks, he has made it his mission to demand that correctional personnel pay, safety and respect be put at the top of the list of legislative priorities.
“It wasn’t always popular with the crowd in Raleigh, but he showed incredible leadership and courage — steadfastly refusing to stop speaking up for employees in North Carolina’s prisons,” said Dearmon. “His commitment to us as state employees is unwavering.”
Steinburg, of Edenton, was unable to accept the award in person because of ongoing recovery efforts in his district following Hurricane Dorian’s landfall. In a recorded message, he thanked delegates for the honor.
“This is a great honor,” he said. “I take it with sincere gratitude and humility. It has been an absolute delight to work with SEANC over the last few years.”
Delegates line up at the microphones to pledge donations to the fund as part of SEANC’s annual community service project.
SEANC raises $23,000 as Hurricane Dorian hits coast
Each year, SEANC convention delegates conduct a community service project.
This year’s project raised funds for the SEANC Fallen Member/Natural Disaster Fund. Delegates and districts raised more than $23,000 for the fund, including the generous donation of $10,000 from District 61!
Ironically, Hurricane Dorian made landfall during the convention. If you or a fellow member you know
suffered damage to property as a result of Dorian, you may qualify for a grant from the SEANC Fallen Member/ Natural Disaster Relief Fund. Grants are available to SEANC members who can demonstrate a need. In order to qualify for funds, the affected member must have been a SEANC member in good standing for a minimum of the previous six months from the time of the disaster.
Bowen honored for EMPAC service
EMPAC presented Quinterline Bowen of Washington with its Gloria M. Upperman Activist Award at the 36th Annual SEANC Convention.
Named in honor of former EMPAC Vice Chairwoman Gloria M. Upperman, who passed away in 2017, the award recognizes SEANC members who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to EMPAC through continued initiative and leadership resulting in lasting benefit to the membership.
Throughout Upperman’s 39 years of membership and active service to SEANC, she was a dedicated advocate for EMPAC’s goals and supported their efforts financially.
Bowen was recognized for her exemplary efforts in the 2018 election. EMPAC Chairman Mark Dearmon pointed out Bowen’s commitment to organizing members to take action at the polls, make calls for endorsed candidates and distribute literature at churches.
“I am honored to have the privilege to present this year’s Upperman Award to a member whose leadership and passion resembles Ms. Upperman’s keen ability to mobilize behind the scenes,” said EMPAC Chairman Mark Dearmon.
Sen. Bob Steinburg
1621 Midtown Place
MEMBERS HAVE A BALL ON THE HALIFAX MALL
SEANC fed more than 1,100 state employees as part of a benefits fair on the Halifax Mall in Downtown Raleigh on Oct. 9. Members were treated to a meal from Backyard Bistro as well as cotton candy and other sweets. All of SEANC's insurance partners were on hand to explain their plans. More than 60 new members joined! Thanks to everyone who attended!
