Scoop January 2016

The Scoop January 8, 2016

McCrory cites inaccuracies to attack SEANC Convention Gov. Pat McCrory snuck out an executive order just before Christmas break that stops delegates from using administrative leave to attend the annual SEANC Convention.

Executive Order 84, signed by McCrory on the afternoon of Dec. 18,

basically rescinds Executive Order 45, signed by Gov. Bev Perdue.

In his release on the order, McCrory incorrectly noted that the move would save the state $425,000 in wages and more than $2 million in lost worker productivity. He obviously based that assumption on all 800 delegates using administrative leave, which is far from the case.

More than 40 percent of SEANC delegates are retired and don’t need leave to attend. Another 10 percent or so work in jobs that see no benefit from the executive order because they work at universities, community colleges and other agencies outside of its scope.

In a statement sent to members, SEANC President Ross Hailey said the elected officers and staff of SEANC were blindsided by the news of this Executive Order.

“McCrory and his administration had previously assured us that we would be consulted before any action was taken on the order,” Hailey stated. “Neither your officers nor staff ever got the courtesy of that notice from the Governor or his staff.”

SEANC Executive Director Mitch Leonard has requested a meeting with Gov. McCrory and his staff to discuss the matter as soon as possible.

The Circus is Coming to Town!

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Circus XTREME at the PNC Aren in Raleigh February 3 - 7, 2016. You will be amazed by all the XTRAORDINARY things you know and love about America's favorite live family entertainment experience. Get ready for an X-HILARATING adventure with X-TRAORDINARY circus artists and magnificent X-OTIC animals!

Best of all, SEANC members can enjoy all of it at discounted rates.

Click here to order your discounted circus tickets.

More Workers Side with SEANC! A total of 109 new members have chosen to empower themselves by

joining SEANC since Dec. 17, including workers from the departments of Agriculture, Environmental Resources, Health and Human Services, Public Safety, Transportation, the Administrative Offices of the Courts, Alamance Community College, Asheville-Buncombe Technical College, Fayetteville Technical Community College, Halifax Community College, Appalachian State University, East Carolina University, N.C. A&T State University, N.C. School of the Arts, UNC-Chapel Hill, Western Carolina University, UNC Hospitals, the State Employees’ Credit Union and schools in Caldwell, Catawba, Duplin, Guilford, Harnett, Haywood, Johnston and Pitt counties.

There’s strength in numbers, and the best way for SEANC to add to its total membership is through members talking to their coworkers. You can best tell your story of why someone should join. And remember, if you sign up five new members, you receive $15 from our membership incentive plan.

Contact Lynn Cote for more information on hosting an event at your worksite.

Hyatt Legal Plans Need to prepare a will or selling your home? The Hyatt Legal Plan fully covers attorney fees for services such as preparation of wills, powers of attorney, living wills, real estate transactions, traffic ticket defense and much more.

The plan provides easy access to a national network of experienced attorneys and coverage for the most frequently needed personal legal services.

The cost is $12.95 per month and visit the SEANC Insurance Page for more information and to enroll today.

THE SCOOP January 15, 2016

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SEANC SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE Are you a SEANC member going to college? Do you have a son, daughter, legally adopted grandchild or a spouse going to college? Do you want help paying high tuition, room and board and even book bills?

Then, apply today for a scholarship from the SEANC Scholarship Foundation. With the spring semester starting, now is the time to work on your application for the 2016-17 academic year.

Last year, the SEANC Scholarship Foundation and SEANC’s 52 districts gave out more than $120,000 to help members, their spouses and their dependents attend either two- or four-year institutions. This year, you or somebody in your family could be one of those deserving winners!

Choose from three categories: Category 1 — Financial Need Winners are selected based on academic performance (40%), financial need (30%), community involvement (10%), personal statement (10%) and recommendations (10%).

Category 2 — Merit Winners are selected based on academic performance (70%) community involvement (10%), personal statement (10%) and recommendations (10%).

Category 3 — Member-Only Winners are selected based on recommendations (30%), SEANC service (20%), career objectives (20%), personal statement (20%) and community involvement (10%).

Applications must be mailed to your district scholarship chairperson, postmarked no later than April 15.

The scholarships awarded by the SEANC Scholarship Foundation and the individual districts are one of the association’s largest benefits for members.

For more information, visit seanc.org/scholarship or contact Celia Wilson at (919) 833-6436.

SEANC nights at the Carolina Hurricanes SEANC has teamed up with the Carolina Hurricanes to bring members an exclusive opportunity to save up to 50% off the standard price for select Carolina Hurricanes home games, including the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins. Go Canes!

Click here to purchase tickets online today! Enter special offer code: SEANC.

Save on auto insurance with Liberty Mutual!

Make the most of your SEANC benefits and check out the competitive rates on your auto insurance through Liberty Mutual. In addition to your exclusive savings, you could be eligible for auto insurance discounts based on everything from your driving habits to the safety technology in your car.

Take advantage of their convenient payment plan through payroll deduction. Click here or call 800-230-0827 for more information and to receive a free quote.

For more information, click here, or call a SEANC Member Benefits Insurance Specialist at 1800-222-2758 or 919-833-6436.

More workers side with SEANC SEANC welcomed 39 new members this week, including workers from the departments of Cultural Resources, Health and Human Services and Public Safety, the Administrative Offices of the Courts, N.C. State University, UNC-Wilmington, UNC Hospitals, College of the Albemarle, Guilford Community College, Mitchell Community College, Vance-Granville Community College and Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Schools.

There’s strength in numbers, and the best way for SEANC to add to its total membership is through members talking to their coworkers. You can best tell your story of why someone should join. And remember, if you sign up five new members, you receive $15 from our membership incentive plan.

Contact Lynn Cote for more information on hosting an event at your worksite.

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THE SCOOP January 22, 2016

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SEANC ANNOUNCES TOP 10 POLICY PLATFORM OBJECTIVES FOR UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION With the 2016 General Assembly short session quickly approaching, SEANC has issued its list of Top 10 Policy Platform Objectives.

As in previous years, pay, retirement and health care are among the most identified issues. Opposition to privatization is highly ranked. Protecting dues deductions and SEANC access to workplaces made the list as well.

As elections loom, there is hope that campaigns will recognize the importance of state employees and recognize the debt owed to retirees. Continued pressure from both staff and members could bring about some long overdue concessions on pay and benefits in the General Assembly’s upcoming short session. But we must remain unified on the issues our members determined to be the most important for the coming year.

We encourage you to read over the list, and refer back to if as you speak to lawmakers over the next year. SEANC staff can also help you schedule meetings with your lawmakers if you plan to be in Raleigh during the session. All you have to do is let us know you’re coming. Just email tbooe@seanc.org or call 800-222-2758.

Can’t make it to Raleigh? No problem. You can call, write or email your legislators – or even schedule your own time to meet with them in your hometown. Again, you can find your lawmakers and their contact information here.

Orlando Vacations Planning a family trip to Orlando or just want to get away from the cold weather? Check out Orlando Employee Discounts, and save on attraction tickets to Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios and more! Members can also save on vacation rentals and hotels.

Click here to plan your trip or call 1-866-4630412.

Stay safe this weekend as snow approaches!

As you already know, winter weather is expected to blanket the east coast this weekend, including a record-breaking blizzard in Washington, D.C. North Carolina is expected to get its fair share as well.

Gov. Pat McCrory issued a state of emergency on Thursday, and some state agencies may be closed today because of the snow. Read up on the many changes to the state’s adverse weather policy here, from the March 2015 edition of The Reporter.

If you don’t have to be outside, don’t put yourself in danger this weekend. But as we all know, many state employees like District 64 member Willie Sherrod of the Department of Transportation may not have a choice. Thank you to all the members in our hospitals and prisons, as well as those out on our roads whose vital work keeps us all safe in these times.

More workers side with SEANC A total of 59 new members have chosen to empower themselves by joining SEANC in the last week, including workers from the departments of Health and Human Services, Public Instruction and Public Safety, the Administrative Offices of the Courts, East Carolina University, N.C. A&T State University, N.C. Central University, UNC-Chapel Hill, Western Carolina University, Nash Community College, Pitt Community College, Robeson Community College, Vance-Granville Community College, State Employees Credit Union and UNC Hospitals.

There’s strength in numbers, and the best way for SEANC to add to its total membership is through members talking to their coworkers. You can best tell your story of why someone should join. And remember, if you sign up five new members, you receive $15 from our membership incentive plan.

Contact Lynn Cote for more information on hosting an event at your worksite.

Gain Peace of Mind with Colonial Life!

Thought about supplemental insurance but not sure what is right for you? SEANC members can receive Colonial Life accident, cancer, critical illness, disability, hospital confinement, whole and universal life policies at competitive rates, with convenient payroll deduction.

These personal insurance products can enhance your current benefits portfolio and can be customized to fit your individual needs. For more information on the plans visit the SEANC Insurance page or contact a Colonial Life representative at 888-732-6248.

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THE SCOOP January 29, 2016

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PROPOSAL WOULD MAKE STATE HEALTH PLAN THE WORST IN THE NATION The state Treasurer’s office has put forth proposals to the State Health Plan Board of Trustees that would make the plan the worst for state employees in the nation.

The proposal would eliminate the current PPO 80/20 plan – the most popular offering for active workers and new retirees – and force those members to take either the PPO 70/30 plan or the Consumer-Driven Health Plan, both of which would now have premiums.

This proposal would mean a cost shift directly to employees, who would now pay more out of pocket for an inferior plan to what they currently have.

SEANC Government Relations Director Ardis Watkins and Director of Operations Chuck Stone, an expert on the State Health Plan, discussed the many changes in this video Thursday.

Click on the image below to watch the video.

As stated in the video, the board will vote on the proposal on Friday, Feb. 5. We encourage you to contact legislators as soon as possible and tell them you are against this bad deal. SEANC staff can help you schedule meetings with your lawmakers if you plan to be in Raleigh during the session. All you have to do is let us know you’re coming. Just email tbooe@seanc.org or call 800-222-2758.

Can’t make it to Raleigh? No problem. You can call, write or email your legislators – or even schedule your own time to meet with them in your hometown. Again, you can find your lawmakers and their contact information here.

Keep warm with the SEANC store's item of the month!

The SEANC Store is offering a special item of the month for February. Members can buy a microfleece jacket in the month of February only!

It’s available in black, SEANC blue and grey.

Check out this flier for more information, and contact Alicia Miller to place your order today!

A SEANC discount can make Valentine's Day even sweeter!

Need to order flowers for Valentine's Day? Let SEANC help you make your sweetie smile and get a great deal at the same time!

As a SEANC member, you can save 25% on flowers, plants and gift baskets for your special someone Valentine's Day by using your PerksCard at Fromyouflowers.com.

Click here to access this deal before it's too late! If ordering by phone, call 1-800-838-8853 and use promo code PRKC.

More workers side with SEANC A total of 43 new members have chosen to empower themselves by joining SEANC in the last week, including workers from the departments of Administration, Agriculture, Environmental Quality, Health and Human Services, Public Safety, Revenue and Transportation, the Administrative Offices of the Courts, Appalachian State University, East Carolina University, N.C. State University, N.C. A&T State University, UNC-Chapel Hill, Western Carolina University, Beaufort County Community College, Durham Technical College, Fayetteville Technical Community College, Pitt Community College, Local Government, UNC Hospitals and school systems in Catawba, Pitt, Robeson and Wake counties.

There’s strength in numbers, and the best way for SEANC to add to its total membership is through members talking to their coworkers. You can best tell your story of why someone should join. And remember, if you sign up five new members, you receive $15 from our membership incentive plan.

Contact Lynn Cote for more information on hosting an event at your worksite.

Something to quack about!

SEANC members can enroll in supplemental insurance with Aflac, which helps provide a safety net for you and your family. Aflac offers insurance for the cost of daily living - paying you cash to help with life's unexpected expenses.

The plans offered to SEANC members are: Group Critical Illness Insurance, Group Accident Insurance, Group Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Group Disability Insurance and Group Whole Life Insurance, which can be accessed through SEANC's Insurance page, and through Aflac.

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