Scoop January 2013

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop January 4, 2013 Judge Throws Out Law Limiting Payroll Deductions in Public Schools

A Superior Court judge on Thursday threw out a law passed by the General Assembly last year that would prohibit public school employees from having association membership dues deducted directly from their paychecks. Though news outlets have focused on the law’s impact on the North Carolina Association of Educators, many fail to mention that the law affected all associations including SEANC. More than 1,000 SEANC members who work in public schools would have to find other means of paying their dues had the law been upheld. The ruling means payroll deductions are safe, for now.

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McCrory Completes His Cabinet

Incoming Governor Pat McCrory completed his cabinet on Thursday, naming former Wake County Schools Superintendent Tony Tata to lead the Department of Transportation. Sharon Decker will serve as his commerce secretary and former state Rep. Bill Daughtridge will lead the Department of Administration. Neal Alexander will serve as director of the state personnel office. Also in Friday’s News & Observer, state workers who work in Raleigh expressed their frustration over losing their Go Pass bus benefits. The move will cost workers $85 per month in added expenses or more if they elect to drive to work rather than take the bus.

More Options for Dental Care

Have a toothache? The MetLife dental insurance plan offered through SEANC can help you get the relief you need at a dentist near you. More than 12,000 new providers were added to the plan on Jan. 1, meaning that members have access to a dentist at more than 200,000 offices across the nation. For more information or to enroll, visit SEANC’s dental insurance page.

The Circus Returns to Town!

Treat your family to the myth and majesty of The Greatest Show on Earth as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents “Dragons” Feb. 6-10 at PNC Arena in Raleigh. Use your SEANC membership to receive up to $12 off the price of admission. Click here to order online or access the mail-in form here.

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Member Discounts 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 January 11, 2013 Legislature Opens 2013 Session

SEANC’s legislative team was on site as the 2013 session of the General Assembly opened on Wednesday, though little business took place outside of the selection of leaders and the adoption of rules. The legislature will reconvene and begin work in earnest on Jan. 30. Similarly, Gov. Pat McCrory was sworn in last Saturday, but will participate in a formal inauguration ceremony tomorrow. SEANC’s lobbyists will work tirelessly throughout the session to make sure your interests as state employees are represented. Click here to read more about SEANC’s legislative priorities, as decided by the 2012 convention delegates.

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McCrory Gives Cabinet Pay Increases

SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope stood up for rankand-file state employees Thursday as news broke that Gov. McCrory’s cabinet secretaries received a pay increase over the salaries offered by the Perdue Administration. Cope pointed out that McCrory’s argument that he had to raise the salaries to compete with the private sector is proof that all state employees are paid less than their peers in the private sector. “The employees who work for those executives are also underpaid,” Cope said. “I hope this is a rising tide that will lift all boats, not just the one with the captain in it.” Cope also pointed this out in a story in the Independent Weekly of Durham, adding that a resurgent private sector could draw top workers from state agencies if benefits like longevity pay are cut. "We have to invest in our best and brightest in state government to provide basic quality,” he said.

As Taxes Rise, SEANC Can Help You Save

With everyone's taxes going up in 2013, SEANC would like to remind you of the many ways your SEANC membership saves you money. For instance, our insurance programs are often more cost-effective than other plans offered to state workers. Your SEANC dues pay for a $1,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy right off the bat, and you can get policies for life, vision, dental, auto, home and more that give you peace of mind for your family’s safety at an affordable rate. Give our insurance programs a try today by visiting seanc.org/insurance. As you will see in your first paychecks of 2013, the rich aren’t the only ones whose taxes increased because of the “fiscal cliff” deal.

The payroll tax holiday expired as well, causing a 2 percent increase in taxes for all workers regardless of income. Because of this, an average state worker making $42,000 will see an $840 increase in taxes this year, and $70 more dollars will be missing from their monthly paychecks.

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

SEANC Membership Continues to Grow!

SEANC has added 67 new members recently at 19 worksites all over the state. The new members come from agencies and offices including Manns Harbor Ferry Station, Maury Correctional Institution, Hoke Correctional Institution Basic Training, Vocational Rehabilitation in Moore and Davidson counties, the Division of Employment Security, Odom Correctional Institution, Scotland County Clerk of Court’s Office, Scotland County Community Service, UNC College of Arts & Sciences, Winston-Salem State University’s School of Health Science, Morganton Department of Transportation, J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center, N.C. A&T Physical Plan, Central Carolina Community College, Forsyth County Department of Transportation, and Department of Public Safety Basic Training in Asheboro. If you would like for a SEANC Member Action Coordinator to visit your worksite, contact Member Action Director Lynn Cote.

Get a Deal on a Car Rental!

Taking a trip this winter and need a good deal on a rental car? Use your SEANC discount to save on Avis and Budget car rentals. Check out these forms for Avis and Budget to find out how much you can save.

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop January 18, 2013 Membership Drive a Big Success

SEANC’s Member Action Department teamed up with the SEANC Youth Council and District 5 this week for a major membership blitz. In total, 54 new members were recruited this week, including workers at Caldwell, Foothills, Marion and Odom correctional institutions, Bladen County Clerk of Court’s office, Duplin County Cooperative Extension, Duplin County magistrate’s office, McDowell County Department of Transportation office, Burke County Schools, Cherry and Broughton hospitals, Department of Public Safety basic training in Salemburg and McDowell County Division of Employment Security. If you would like for a SEANC representative to visit your work site, please contact Member Action Director Lynn Cote.

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State Workers Keep State Moving

We extend a special thanks to the state workers at the Department of Transportation, State Highway Patrol and other agencies who worked overnight Thursday and today to make sure the state kept moving during the first winter weather of the year. Also, we congratulate Rep. David Guice for his recent appointment as the head of the state’s prison system. Guice serves as chief deputy secretary over the Division of Adult Correction.

As Taxes Rise, SEANC Can Help You Save

With everyone's taxes going up in 2013, SEANC would like to remind you of the many ways your SEANC membership saves you money. For instance, SEANC’s partnership with Purchasing Power gives members a flexible payment option for large purchases. Members can buy a laptop for their kids in college or a new refrigerator without blowing their savings at once. Instead, a small amount is deducted from each paycheck. As you will see in your first paychecks of 2013, the rich aren’t the only ones whose taxes increased because of the “fiscal cliff” deal. The payroll tax holiday also expired, causing a 2 percent increase in taxes for all workers regardless of income. Because of this, an average state worker making $42,000 will see an $840 increase in taxes this year, and $70 more dollars will be missing from their monthly paychecks.

Fourth Branch Recognizes Work of Rep. Cleveland on Behalf of Retirees

Members of the Fourth Branch Board recognized Rep. George Cleveland (R-Onslow) this week for his work in the legislature on behalf of retirees. The Fourth Branch is comprised of SEANC members as well as public

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employees on the federal, state and local levels, including military, with a stake in the Bailey Settlement.

Save 10% on a New Computer!

Start the new year with a new edge! Use your SEANC membership to save 10 percent on the purchase of a new Dell computer. Click here for details.

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop January 25, 2013 Legislators Get to Work Next Week

After a quick and largely ceremonial start to the 2013 General Assembly session on Jan. 9, legislators will return to Raleigh in the upcoming week to get to work on Jan. 31. Tax reform, unemployment liability and the budget are sure to be hot topics in this session as Republicans hold control of the House and Senate as well as the governor’s mansion. SEANC’s legislative affairs team will be at the GA daily to ensure state workers have a voice in the debate and advocate for SEANC’s Top 10 Legislative Priorities, as voted on by the 2012 convention delegates.

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State Health Plan Board Meets

The State Health Plan Board of Trustees, including SEANC District 22 member Michele Shaw, held its first meeting of 2013 today in Raleigh. Already, transparency has been questioned as a vote on premiums and benefits for the upcoming year was planned for today with little time for public scrutiny of the SHP staff's proposal. The vote was ultimately delayed, but may still take place as early as next week. SEANC’s legislative affairs team will continue to monitor this debate and fight for state workers.

SEANC Hot Spots: President Sandy Takes National Role

SEANC President Sidney M. Sandy of Indian Trail was sworn in this week in Washington as the association’s representative on the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) International Executive Board. Sandy replaces SEANC Past President Charles Johnson, who received a plaque at the meeting commemorating his two years of service. Sandy, a Republican, will also serve on SEIU’s GOP Steering Committee.

SEANC Reps Visit IT Services Workers

SEANC Member Action Coordinator Sophia Brauns and Lobbyist Suzanne Beasley participated in a District 44 membership recruitment drive at IT services this week to talk about the benefits of joining SEANC as well as the upcoming legislative session. If you would like for a SEANC representative to visit your work site, please contact Member Action Director Lynn Cote.

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

The Circus is Coming to Town!

Treat your family to the myth and majesty of The Greatest Show on Earth as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents “Dragons� Feb. 6-10 at PNC Arena in Raleigh. Use your SEANC membership to receive up to $12 off the price of admission. Click here to order online.