Scoop August 2012

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop August 3, 2012 SEANC in the News

SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope was named this week as one of the top 25 most influential lobbyists in the state according to the N.C. Center for Public Policy Research. Cope’s ranking is a testament to SEANC members’ strength in state politics. Also this week, SEANC member Dan Efird’s letter to the editor of the Asheboro Courier-Tribune on efforts to privatize the N.C. Zoological Park was published.

Races Forums This

Governor/Treasurer Highlighted in EMPAC Weekend

Click here to read the July 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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As part of EMPAC's endorsements process, both the Democratic and Republican gubernatorial nominees will participate in interviews this weekend. Republican nominee Pat McCrory's interview will occur today, and Democratic nominee Walter Datlon will be interviewed Saturday. Also on Saturday, State Auditor Beth Woods, State Treasurer Republican candidate Steven Royal and State Treasurer Janet Cowell will be interviewed. All interviews take place at the SEANC Central Office in Raleigh.

SEANC Continues to Grow!

SEANC’s Member Action Department has been on the move recently, signing up new members and spreading the word about the association at job sites all over the state. The department has signed up 52 new members in the last week alone, including state employees in 18 different workplaces. If you would like for a member action coordinator to visit your agency, please contact Member Action Director Lynn Cote.

Hyatt Legal Open Enrollment Now Available

Hyatt Legal Plan is holding an open enrollment Aug. 1 through Sept. 30 with coverage effective Nov. 1. The legal plan provides you with easy access to a national network of over 10,000 attorneys for your most frequently needed personal legal services. For more information, see this brochure or contact the SEANC Office at 800222-2758.

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 August 10, 2012 How Will You Spend Your Bonus Leave?

After SEANC successfully won five extra bonus leave days for state employees as part of state budget negotiations, the staff received a letter from a member who said the bonus time off was especially important to her. “I’m so thrilled because I will use my 5 days for some very special vacation time this month with my 77-year-old dad, who’s undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. Thanks a million, SEANC. Obviously, the results of SEANC’s work on MY BEHALF as a state employee is very important to me and means a lot to my whole extended family!” We want to know what special plans you have for your extra time off. Please click here to tell us you plans. The best responses will be featured on our Facebook page, and one member who tells us their plans will win a $50 gas card to help enjoy that vacation time!

Click here to read the July Reporter!

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EMPAC Wraps Up Election Forums

EMPAC completed its endorsement interviews last weekend for statewide political offices. EMPAC received visits from the Republican and Democratic candidates for governor along with candidates for every Council of State seat. The committee expects to announce its endorsements for the November general election later this month. For more on EMPAC, including how to get involved, click here.

SEANC Continues to Grow!

SEANC’s Member Action Department had another strong showing this week, recruiting more than 90 new members at 21 worksites all over the state. We welcome our new members into the SEANC family from UNC-Charlotte, Hyde Correctional Institution, Tyrrell Prison Work Farm, the Department of Revenue, Cabarrus Clerk of Court, Haw River State Park, Plymouth Adult Probation/Parole, Forsyth County DOT, Stanly Community College, the Division of Employment Security, Caledonia Correctional Center, Central Prison, N.C. Aquariums, Cherry Hospital, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Rowan County DOT, Forestry Service in Rowan County and Stonewall Jackson Youth Development Center. SEANC President Charles Johnson reported on Wednesday that 25 new members had been recruited in a single day at Central Prison in Raleigh alone! Contact Member Action Director Lynn Cote if you would like for a member action coordinator to visit your agency.

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

Time is Running Out to Take Part in EMPAC's Sweepstakes

EMPAC is giving all SEANC members a chance to win up to $5,000 in a sweepstakes drawing to be held at the SEANC convention. Members should have received tickets in the mail. If you would like to enter, tickets must be returned with a postmark no later than Aug. 24 to be eligible. Absolutely no purchase, contribution or donation is necessary to enter. All that is necessary is mailing in the completed tickets in order to be eligible. This offer was mailed to SEANC members with a valid mailing address as of July 1.

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop August 17, 2012 State Health Plan Board Saves Millions on New Contracts with SEANC's Help

Right out of the gate, the new State Health Plan Board conducted a fair and open competitive bid process for a new state health plan contract, saving 19 percent over the previous no-bid, cost-plus, sweetheart deal concocted by lawmakers. With a fair and open bid process conducted with the assistance of state employees who sit on the board, including SEANC’s own Michele Shaw of District 22, the plan is moving in the right direction.

Click here to read the July Reporter!

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SEANC in the News

SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope was interviewed by several news outlets this week as news broke of the State Health Plan's new contracts. Cope told WRAL-TV, "SEANC has fought for this day for many years. Finally the SHP has conducted an open and competitive bid process.

This will save taxpayer and state employees money.” Cope was also adamant that those savings be passed on to state employees in the form of lower costs, telling the News & Observer, “We would hope those cost savings ... will be put back into the State Health Plan itself,” and calling the old way of awarding no-bid contracts for the plan “sweetheart deals being done in back rooms by three or four members of the legislature.”

SEANC Teams with Local Company to Save Members Money

SEANC announced last week that it will team up with North Carolina-based company myDrugCosts, Inc. to help members save money on their prescription drugs.

The company’s services can be accessed by any smartphone, or members can visit its website at mydrugcosts.com to use a simple interface to search out the lowest price for their medication. Once on the site, click "sign up" and enter the activation code "SEANC." SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope called it “an innovative solution that will provide our members with fast and accessible information about their prescription drug options.” Questions? Contact Chuck Stone at 800-2222758 or by email.

SEANC Continues to Grow!

SEANC’s Member Action Department recruited a whopping 112 new members to the SEANC ranks this week at 16 worksites all over the state. We welcome our new members into the SEANC family from N.C. Central University, N.C. Forestry Services in Hillsborough, Wake Correctional Center, Wayne Correctional Center, Office of Staff Development and Training in Greenville, N.C.

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

Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation in McLeansville and Cabarrus County, Lanesboro Correctional Institute, Caldwell Community College, Moore County Schools Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles in Orange County, N.C. Division of Community Corrections in Beaufort, Cumberland County Schools Transportation, Columbus Correctional Institute and Caswell Developmental Center. Contact Member Action Director Lynn Cote if you would like for a member action coordinator to visit your agency.

Brighten the Holidays for North Carolina's Children!

The 29th Annual SEANC Convention is coming up Sept. 6-8 in Greensboro, and even if you are not a delegate, you can participate in our community service project! Help brighten the holiday season for boys and girls across the state by donating an unopened, unwrapped toy to the Marines’ annual Toys for Tots drive. SEANC hope to present the Marines with a huge donation this year, and you can help! Contact your district chairperson for more information on donating or drop your toy off at the SEANC Central Office in Raleigh.

Time is Running Out to Hit the Water Parks with SEANC

With the summer drawing to a close, time is running out to take advantage of SEANC’s great deals at several area theme parks. Deals at Jungle Rapids Waterpark in Wilmington, Wet ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe in Greensboro and Myrtle Waves in Myrtle Beach will expire in early September. Take one last splash by purchasing tickets at any State Employees’ Credit Union branch or by completing this form and returning it to SEANC today!

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop August 24, 2012 "Dislike" Facebook stock in the name of retirement security!

North Carolina’s state pension fund has seen the value of its Facebook investment drop by almost half. The state pension fund provides retirement benefits for 850,000 active and retired state employees. According to legal documents, the state’s retirement system has 618,000 shares of Facebook stock with a estimated loss of $4.1 million. This is a prime reason why SEANC continues to fight to change oversight of the retirement system from a system where a single person, the state Treasurer, makes all of the investment decisions. The Facebook shares were originally worth $38 but dropped 20 percent in the first two days of becoming public, and are now only worth about $19.

North Carolina’s retirement system joined a lawsuit claiming that Facebook misrepresented its initial public offering. The lawsuit raises more questions about the Treasurer's office. North Carolina is seeking to be named one of the lead plaintiffs in the case.

Click here to read the July Reporter!

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SEANC in the News

SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope was in the news this week when he commented on the transparency of the State Health Plan’s contracts, which are now required to be public record after a new law was put into effect last year. However, disclosure of the individual contract amount isn’t required under the law. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, which has the largest contract, said it will still disclose its contract amount after the deal is finalized. Cope told the News and Observer, “This culture of secrecy regarding the State Health Plan and its contracts needs to end.”

SEANC Continues to Grow!

SEANC’s Member Action Department recruited 49 new members this week from 21 worksites across the state, including 15 correctional facilities. We welcome all of our new members into the SEANC family, which includes employees from correctional facilities such as Bertie Correctional Institution, Hyde Correctional Institution, Nash Correctional Institution, Avery-Mitchell Correctional Institution and Lanesboro Correctional Institution. We also welcome new members from the Children's Developmental Services Agency, Cape Fear Community College, Cooperative Extension Services in Anson County, Department of Administration, Pamlico County Schools, Pamlico County Forestry Services and the Department of Revenue in Forsyth County. Contact Member Action Director Lynn Cote if you would like for a member action coordinator to visit your agency.

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

Today is the Last Day for EMPAC Sweepstakes Entries!

Today is the deadline to enter EMPAC’s $5,000 sweepstakes drawing to be held at the SEANC convention. All SEANC members should have received tickets in the mail. If you would like to enter, tickets must be returned with a postmark no later than Aug. 24 to be eligible. Absolutely no purchase, contribution or donation is necessary to enter. All that is necessary is mailing in the completed tickets in order to be eligible. Entries must be postmarked by today in order to be eligible. This offer was mailed to SEANC members with a valid mailing address as of July 1.

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