Scoop April 2012

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop April 6, 2012 EMPAC Announces Endorsements

EMPAC announced its endorsements on Monday for the May 8 primary, backing 27 candidates from both ends of the political spectrum. EMPAC only made endorsements in competitive primary races. Find the entire list of candidates endorsed here. EMPAC endorsed Linda Coleman for Lt. Governor in February.

SEANC In the News

SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope was interviewed this week for a story on Senate Bill 575 and the UNC System’s efforts to take away state personnel rights from university employees.

In the article, Cope pointed out, “Basically what (UNC leaders) are trying to do is say, ‘Trust us.’”

The April edition of The Reporter had more on SEANC members' objections to the bill. Also in the news this week, SEANC Legislative Affairs Director Ardis Watkins spoke out against privatization of mental health services in an article on the closure of the Dorothea Dix campus.

Click here to read the April Reporter!

SAVE THE DATE! The Don Jones Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Aug. 10 at Keith Hills Country Club

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SEIU Delegates Selected

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Ballots were counted and winners were named on Tuesday in the 2012 SEIU Delegate Election. The 56 delegates selected (51 district and five statewide) will represent SEANC at the 2012 SEIU Convention, to be held May 28-30 in Denver, Colo. Members can check out the results by visiting the Members Only page on the Membership section of the SEANC

SEANC Hot Spots: SEANC Scholarship Deadline is April 15!

Member Discounts Benefits Bulletin SEANC in the News SEANC Insurance Update Your Contact Info Calendar of Events

Support Coleman on Facebook!

www.seanc.org 800-222-2758

The deadline for members and their families to apply for a SEANC Scholarship is less than two weeks away! All applications must be returned by April 15. For more information, visit the scholarship page on SEANC’s website.

SEANC has launched a Facebook page for members to connect with efforts to elect Linda Coleman as the next Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina! Coleman has been an advocate for state employees since her days as a freshman N.C. House member, when she held up the state budget until state workers received the raises they were promised. Please visit and “like” the page, and check back often for updates. And if you haven't already, don't forget to “like” SEANC’s page while you're on Facebook.

Member Discount

Thanks to your SEANC membership and the State Employees' Credit Union, you can now purchase discounted tickets to Carowinds and seven other theme and water parks at any State Employees’ Credit Union branch or by submitting this form to SEANC. We challenge you to ride as many roller coasters and water slides as possible this summer!

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State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop April 13, 2012 SEANC Members Support SPA, UNC Board Does Not

This morning SEANC President Charles Johnson, SEANC members and UNC students joined with the Coalition for a Workplace Democracy in support of maintaining their State Personnel Act rights at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where the UNC Board of Governors was meeting. On the agenda was a proposal to transfer governance of 22,000 university SPA employees from the guaranteed worker protections of the SPA and proposed to govern employees themselves with a set of “guiding principles.” The UNC Board voted unanimously without discussion to support the transfer of power to themselves. No action is final unless the General Assembly makes these recommendations law during the 2012 session which begins in May. The SEANC Board of Governors will meet in May to hear from President Ross.

Click here to read the April Reporter!

SAVE THE DATE! The Don Jones Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Aug. 10 at Keith Hills Country Club

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SPA Rights in the News

SEANC member Odessa Davis, a housekeeper at UNC, is skeptical of a potential governance change which would take away her guaranteed SPA rights and spoke out in a university magazine in support of workers' rights. “They [university administrators] tell us that it’s benefiting because you’ll get more out of this and more out of that. But we already know [better].” To read the full story, click here.

What's up? DHHS negotiates with Geo Care Despite Cancelling Privatization Proposal

What's up at DHHS? As Dorothea Dix prepares to close its doors, the state continues to negotiate with GEO Care, a for-profit prison and health services corporation with a slew of lawsuits as a result of their privatization work in other states. SEANC will continue to fight against this action and other wrong-headed moves that would likely hit taxpayers in the wallet while delivering fewer services to the state. Click here for the story.

Discount Busch Garden Tickets Available

Looking for a weekend getaway with fun rides, roller coasters and beautiful attractions? Visit Busch Gardens in historic Williamsburg, VA. SEANC members can purchase discounted Busch Gardens tickets at any State Employee’s Credit Union branch. For more information visit the SEANC website.

SEANC Hot Spots:

Member Discounts Benefits Bulletin SEANC in the News SEANC Insurance Update Your Contact Info Calendar of Events www.seanc.org 800-222-2758

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop April 20, 2012 DPS to relaunch prison privatization efforts soon

As SEANC predicted when the Department of Public Safety pulled its Request for Proposals in February, the agency is expected to relaunch its efforts to privatize prison medical services soon. Meanwhile, one of the companies expected to bid, Corizon, is the subject of a recent report that found the care they provide in Idaho prisons constitutes “cruel and unusual punishment.” Fighting privatization is the top legislative priority for SEANC, as voted on by members at the 2011 convention. If you are interested in hosting an information session at your workplace on this or any other topic, contact Member Action Director Lynn Cote.

Click here to read the April Reporter!

SAVE THE DATE! The Don Jones Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Aug. 10 at Keith Hills Country Club

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SEANC in the News

SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope appeared in a national story this week that appeared in The Washington Post on the affordability of the State Health Plan as it relates to the new federal health care law. He was also interviewed by The Daily Tar Heel, the campus newspaper at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, on efforts by the UNC system Board of Governors to remove State Personnel Act rights from its employees.

SEANC to launch TV ads for Linda Coleman for Lt. Governor

With the May 8 primary fast approaching, SEANC is ramping up its efforts to elect Linda Coleman as the Democratic party’s nomination for Lieutenant Governor.

The association will roll out television ads as part of an independent expenditure campaign in coming weeks in Greensboro, Raleigh and eastern North Carolina on broadcast and cable networks. Coleman leads her opponent by nine points in a recent SEANC poll of statewide voters. Please “like” the SEANC Members for Linda Coleman page on Facebook to stay informed on the latest efforts to elect our SEANC Hero!

Early voting in primary now under way

Speaking of the May 8 primary, early voting is already under way in locations in every county across the state. Please take a few minutes out of your day to cast your votes for Linda Coleman and for your representatives among the 27 SEANCendorsed candidates for the General Assembly. We must stand united in this important election to make sure our voices are heard.

SEANC Hot Spots:

Member Discounts Benefits Bulletin SEANC in the News SEANC Insurance Update Your Contact Info Calendar of Events www.seanc.org 800-222-2758

Discount Kings Dominion tickets available

Take a break from the norm with a trip to one of Virginia's premier theme parks. SEANC members can purchase discounted Kings Dominion tickets at any State Employee’s Credit Union branch. For more information visit the SEANC website.

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop April 27, 2012 Cope Points Out the Dangers of Prison Privatization in Guest Column

SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope laid the facts out on prison medical care privatization in an Op-Ed piece he authored for the News & Observer this week. In the column, Cope pointed out “privatization won’t save money and initial low-ball bids and multiple malpractice suits will push the state’s costs even higher.” He called on North Carolina to say “No” to privatizing prison medical care, which will make taxpayers sick. Meanwhile, one of the companies expected to bid on North Carolina's contract pulled out of a privatized effort in Mississippi recently after the prison it operated was called a "cesspool." Please take a moment to read Cope's article and share it with your friends and co-workers, and even your legislators.

Click here to read the April Reporter!

SAVE THE DATE! The Don Jones Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Aug. 10 at Keith Hills Country Club in Buies Creek

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SEANC at Broughton Groundbreaking

SEANC President Charles Johnson and Insurance Director Brenda Hooker were on site in Morganton Wednesday for the groundbreaking of revitalization efforts at Broughton Hospital. When completed in 2014, it will be among the nation’s leading state-of-the-art psychiatric facilities. The new hospital will house 384 beds and employ more than 1,100 health care professionals.

Linda Coleman Campaign Picks Up Steam

SEANC Hero Linda Coleman, who is the only statewide candidate EMPAC endorsed in the May 8 primary, won another powerful endorsement this week when The Charlotte Observer said she is the best pick for the Democratic Party’s nomination for Lieutenant Governor.

Public Policy Polling also released its latest poll on the race this week showing Coleman with a 12-point edge over her opponent. SEANC’s Central Office has yard signs available for any member who would like to show their support for Coleman to their neighbors. Swing by the office and pick up some today to spread the word!

Early Voting in Primary Now Under Way

Speaking of the May 8 primary, early voting is under way in locations in every county across the state.

Please take a few minutes out of your day to cast your vote for Linda Coleman and for your representatives among the 27 SEANC-endorsed candidates for the General Assembly. We must stand united in this important election to make sure our voices are heard.

SEANC Hot Spots:

Member Discounts Benefits Bulletin SEANC in the News SEANC Insurance Update Your Contact Info Calendar of Events www.seanc.org 800-222-2758

Get a Deal on Your Next Getaway

Looking for a place to stay for your next getaway? SEANC members can receive exclusive discounts at Choice hotels, which include Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites and Sleep Inn. Use the SEANC discount ID number provided here when making reservations and save 20 percent!