Final budget includes raises, bonuses for retirees
The House and Senate passed a $30 billion state budget on Sept. 22 and sent it to Gov. Roy Cooper for signature. Cooper let the budget become law without his signature.
The budget contains pay raises for state employees and a one-time bonus for retirees. SEANC Executive Director Ardis Watkins told reporters the raises do not go far enough to tackle the vacancy crisis in state government.
“This is a very dangerous gamble with public health and safety,” she told WRAL. “Employees will keep leaving if this is what they get when there is plenty of money for a better
raise, and more than 20% of state jobs are vacant. And the public, unfortunately, will pay the price for the lack of services these vacancies cause.”
Though the budget has passed, there is still time for legislators to do the right thing regarding a bonus to help retain employees. SEANC is advocating for a separate bill with a holiday bonus of $5,000.
The state is sitting on a surplus of over $3 billion built on unspent funds because of vacant jobs. Meanwhile, employees are overworked and leaving in droves.
The State Budget includes:
• A 4% pay raise in 2023 and a 3% raise in 2024 for most state employees, including non-certified school personnel, community college, and UNC employees.
• A 4% one-time supplement for retirees in 2023.
• A 5.5% pay raise in 2023 for employees on a step-pay plan and an additional 3% in 2024.
• Labor market reserves for agencies to use to address certain position salaries to bring them more in line with similar positions.
• Funding for the State Health Plan and the Retirement System.
• An average of 2% pay raise for bus drivers in addition to the 4% across the board in 2023. Increases in year two for a total of 8%.
Convention Delegates Elect Officers for 2023-2025
Delegates at the 39th Annual SEANC Convention in Greensboro Sept. 7-9 elected Kirk Montgomery of Burlington (District 25) as the 2023-2025 SEANC President.
Wendell Powell of Fayetteville (District 41) was elected First Vice President, Emily Jones of Clayton (District 41) was elected Second Vice President, and Stacie Crabtree of Moncure (District 41) was elected General Treasurer. Martha Fowler of Mebane (District 19) is the Immediate Past President. They assumed their new roles on Oct. 1.
EMPAC presented its Lisa B. Mitchell Legislators of the Year awards to House Minority Leader Rep. Robert Reives II and Rep. Donna White for their commitment to state employee and retiree issues during the 2023 General Assembly session.
Delegates also honored Joe Fearrington, a 61-year-old UNC-Chapel Hill staff member who shepherded students to safety during the recent shooting on campus. Fearrington was in attendance at the convention.
As part of the annual community service project, members
and districts donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Association and the American Diabetes Association. They also made donations to the SEANC Scholarship Foundation.
The next issue of The Reporter will be a digital-only publication. Members will receive an email from SEANC when it is ready to view online.
To read this and other issues of The Reporter online, visit www.seanc.org/publications
Kirk Montgomery (center) was elected SEANC President at the SEANC Convention on Sept. 7. Wendell Powell (right) was elected First Vice President, Emily Jones (second from left) was elected Second Vice President, and Stacie Crabtree (second from right) was elected General Treasurer. Martha Fowler (left) will serve as Immediate Past President.
SCHOLARSHIP
The SEANC Scholarship Foundation, Retiree Council and SEANC districts across the state announced they are awarding $137,300 in scholarships. $38,500 of that is being given out by the statewide SEANC Scholarship Foundation to 47 deserving students. The five categories of statewide scholarships include: Member-Only, Two-Year Merit, Two Year Financial, Four-Year Merit and Four Year Financial.
Emanuel Scott Ohio Technical College
Son of District 24
member Terri Oxendine Robeson County Schools
Remi Jeanmarie-Jennings Wake Technical Community College Daughter of District 40
Taylor Grace Sollie Garner-Webb University
Daughter of District 2 member
Eric Sollie Haywood County Schools
Mason Parker UNC-Pembroke
Son of District 23 member Joseph Parker, Jr. Department of Transportation
Four-Year Merit ($1,000)
Avery Bass North Carolina State University
Daughter of District 58 member
Tara Thompson Wake Technical Community College
Mackenzie R. Singletary UNC-Chapel Hill Daughter of District 24 member Melissa Singletary Bladen County Schools
Lauren Sanchez North Carolina State University
Daughter of District 39 member
Rebecca Sanchez North Carolina State University
Amie Masemore
Duke University Daughter of District 38 member
Sushma Masemore Department of Environmental Quality
Alex Liverman North Carolina State University
Son of District 56
member George Liverman Department of Transportation
Talula Martin UNC-Chapel Hill Daughter of District 57 member Curtis Martin Department of Health & Human Services
Charles Bagwell UNC-Chapel Hill
Son of District 13
member Amy Bagwell Central Piedmont Community College
Tressie Phillips Department of Public Safety Two-Year Financial ($500)
member Linda Jennings-Collins Department of Adult Corrections
Matthew Lavender Tri Community College
Son of District 1
member Sherri McConnell Department of Health & Human Services
Alison Ward Cape Fear Community College Daughter of District 61
member William Ward Department of Adult Correction
Annali Rae Silver Gardner-Webb University Daughter of District 3 member
Misty Woody Silver Mayland Community College
REPORTER THE
Jonathan Owens, Editor-In-Chief
ADVERTISING POLICY
Seth Hughes North Carolina State University Son of District 42 member
Monica Hughes Wake County Public Schools
Gracie Hall East Tennessee State University Daughter of District 6 member
Lori Hall Department of Health & Human Services
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.
© Copyright 2023 SEANC. All rights reserved.
Cameron Askins UNC-Chapel Hill
Son of District 61 member
Jennifer Askins Onslow County Schools
Kensley Grace Phillips East Carolina University Daughter of District 1 member
Bethany Davis
UNC-Greensboro Daughter of District 16 member
Ray Davis, Jr. Department of Adult Correction
The Reporter, USPS 009-852 (ISSN 1069 2142), is published four times a year in the months of October, February, May, and August 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.
Gregory Williams UNC-Charlotte Son of District 17 member Shirrell Williams City of Reidsville
Kevin Andrew Pernell NC A&T University Son of District 56 member Lillie W. Pernell Retired
Kamaya Royster NC A&T University Daughter of District 57 member Janet Royster Department of Adult Correction
Jada Alise Ezzell North Carolina Central University Daughter of District 58 member Lakita E. Brodie Department of Adult Correction
Kelsie Hooper Sovah School of Health Professions Daughter of District 17 member David M. Hooper Department of Transportation
Four-Year Financial ($1,000)
Zamaria Wilson NC A&T University Daughter of District 65 member Lisa Hagans East Carolina University
Braylon Aldridge Western Carolina University Son of District 2 member Cayle Aldridge Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
Benjamin Parsons Stanly Community College Son of District 11 member Jeffrey Parsons Stanly Community College
Amyah Farrington NC A&T University Daughter of District 20 member Katrina Farrington Robeson County Public Schools
Azariah Best NC A&T University Daughter of District 42 member Portia Best Wake County Public Schools
Hunter Cothron Western Carolina University Son of District 5 member David Cothron Department of Adult Correction
Andrew Bowen North Carolina State University Son of District 39 member Ronnie Bowen North Carolina State University
Two-Year Merit ($500)
Kyla Quanz Martin Community College Daughter of District 9 member Heather Quanz Administrative Office of the Courts
Alison Claire Roper Caldwell Community
Sylvia K. Jennings East Carolina University Daughter of District 69 member Tonya Jennings Administrative Office of the Courts
Bridgett Latrice Tedder Devry University Member of District 12 CharlotteMecklenburg Schools
Destiny Rouse North Carolina Central University Daughter of District 59 member Donald Rouse Retired
Elizabeth Patteson University of San Francisco Daughter of District 7 member Lynn E. Webber Department of Health & Human Services
Member-Only
Donna L. Lipsomb
SEANC's affiliation with SEIU ends
The SEANC Board of Governors voted unanimously in February to begin the process of disaffiliation from the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), with whom SEANC had been affiliated since 2008. On Aug. 11, SEIU finally agreed to end our affiliation. Then President Martha Fowler sent a message to members explaining the issue. It read in part:
“As your president, I believe that disaffiliating from SEIU is in the best interest of SEANC and our members. But it’s not just my opinion – it’s the unanimous opinion of SEANC’s Retiree Council, Membership Committee, Board of Governors, and every past president dating back to the 1990s.”
Past Presidents were honored on stage on Saturday.
District 22 members pose for a group photo with Executive Director Ardis Watkins. The district was named "District of the Year" at Saturday's banquet.
Second Vice President Emily Jones explains what to expect to new delegates.
Joe Fearrington, a UNC-Chapel Hill employee, seen here with Past President Jimmy Davis, was honored for his heroism during the recent shooting on campus.
Delegates socialize during a break.
President Kirk Montgomery (left) and First Vice President Wendell Powell react to the announcement of Montgomery as new president.
Then President Martha Fowler presided over her third-straight convention.
MEMBERS IN ACTION
District 66 recruited 57 new members at Caswell Developmental Center on May 3.
District 3 held its annual golf tournament in May to raise money to award college scholarships to members, their children and grandchildren.
District 7 held an event for employees at J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center in Morganton on May 24.
District 69 member Trina Gregory (right) signed up five new members on May 21 at an event she helped organize at Seven Sounds Brewing Co. in Elizabeth City.
SEANC had a ball on the Halifax Mall in Raleigh on Cinco de Mayo, May 5.
District 21 gained 13 new members at its annual Members Appreciation Event at the Gazebo in Butner on May 17.
MARY TILLEY
District 9 visited employees at Iredell County Adult Corrections on May 25.
provided an appreciation lunch for the employees at the DOT Call Center in Bladen County on June 13. (Pictured
Junior Hulen, SEANC's state vice chair of
stopped by to show his support for SEANC as well.
SEANC attended the Juvenile Justice state event on May 15 at Kerr Lake.
District 17 visited the Department of Transportation office in Graham on May 16.
District 40 held a successful employee appreciation event at N.C. Correctional Institution for Women on June 8.
District 57 showed its appreciation to employees at Longleaf NeuroMedical Treatment Center in Wilson on June 7.
SEANC recruited 46 new members with District 58 at Eastern and Greene Correctional Institutes in June.
District 24
above)
EMPAC,
District 28 hosted an appreciation event at Central Regional Hospital in Butner on May 10.
District 17 hosted an appreciation event for employees at the N.C. Zoo in Asheboro on June 22.
MEMBERS IN ACTION
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services employees came out for a sweet treat on July 12 at the Agricultural Sciences Center in Raleigh compliments of SEANC and District 38
Our Emerging Leaders Council was out bright and early on July 8 cleaning up as part of their Adopt-a-Highway community service project.
District 9 provided lunch for employees at the Department of Adult Correction offices in Gastonia on June 23.
District 1 Chairman Mark Haskett (far right) visited the Graham County DOT maintenance yard on July 12 and signed up three new members.
District 22 provided lunch for employees at the Cumberland County Courthouse on July 11.
District 60 Chairwoman Anita Marable and district members showed appreciation to employees at O’Berry Treatment Center in Goldsboro on July 26.
District 42 made a contribution to The Clayton Center for Active Aging for their Bingo night. The ladies also hosted some of the bingo games along with some other state employees from the DHHS Medicaid Division. Pictured from District 42 are Gretchen Williams, Shirley Bell and Stephanie Nmashie.
SHONDA KELLY
MEMBERS IN ACTION
District 69 was a proud sponsor of the Department of Community Corrections Division 1 Field Day on June 25 in Hertford.
employees in Alamance County on July 5.
SEANC's Emerging Leaders Council held a Health & Wellness Fair on Aug 12 at the Southeast Raleigh YMCA that included fun activities like yoga, food trucks, and other health vendors.
District 16 sponsored a breakfast at the DOT Maintenance Department on July 6.
District 18 hosted a breakfast for DOT Staff in Montgomery County on July 13.
District 12 visited employees at the Union County Judicial Center in July.
District 17 hosted a Lunch and Learn with Vocational Rehab
District 12 held several events at various Charlotte area state agencies during August.
District 21 provided lunch for employees at Murdoch Center on August 23. The district added more than 50 new members at the event.
District 25 members represented SEANC at The Society of Research Administrators International North Carolina Chapter Conference in Chapel Hill on July 25.
SEANC heads
with
public school employees around the state!
During back-to-school time, SEANC visited many convocation events around the state to let public school employees know about the benefits awaiting them as a SEANC member. From Cumberland to Anson to Perquimans to Chatham counties, the SEANC team works to ensure that school personnel get the most out of their SEANC membership.
LEADERS IN ACTION
Emerging Leaders Council
Chair Carl Elliott and Prison Reform Chair Deborah attended the Northeastern Regional Wellness Workshop for the N.C. Corrections Association on June 9.
Past President Wayne
and
Vice President
Past
District 21 was honored as one of thirteen honorees on April 19, at the Community Partnership Recognition Ceremony in Henderson. Vance County High School submitted District 21 for their community support with the Cap and Gown Project. Pictured from left are Angela Cusaac, Senior Class Principal, Claretha Wood, District 21 Chairwoman Virginia Lindsey, Mary Tilley, and Principal Nealie Whitt III.
Proud Aggie alum and then SEANC President Martha Fowler visited the N.C. A&T State University Spring Fling on May 17.
SEANC First Vice President Wendell Powell, District 2 Chairman Cliff Johnson, Prison Reform Chairwoman Deborah Harney and then President Martha Fowler attended the One Voice United Elevating Our Profession conference on corrections on April 28. They are seen here with Art Beeler (middle) from the Department of Adult Correction.
First Vice President Wendell Powell visited Catawba Correctional Institution on Aug. 9 with District 9 for an appreciation event for employees there.
President Stanley Drewery assisted during District 65's Friends and Family Day at East Carolina University on June 26. The event included fun activities and a cookout lunch.
Fish
Second
Emily Jones attended the N.C. Corrections Support Seminar in Greensboro
SEANC was proud to once again sponsor N.C. Black Summit, hosted by the North Carolina Black Alliance on May 2.
SEANC was "all in" at the Probation and Parole Association's Spring Workshop in June. (Second Vice President Emily Jones and Secretary of DAC Todd Ishee are pictured in the bottom right photo).
SEANC's new partner Luther Sales offers members an opportunity to pay for big-ticket items and trips through manageable monthly payments. Luther Sales offers most of the same products as Purchasing Power and a vacation platform, VacationWiser, with a full-service travel agency. With Luther Sales, members have up to three years to pay off a purchase.
