Scoop March 2012

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop March 2, 2012 Privatization thwarted!

SEANC members and the people of North Carolina scored a major victory this week when the Department of Public Safety pulled its Request for Proposals on the privatization of prison health care facilities. The move followed months of SEANC’s action to maintain quality public services in prison health care facilities, including forums held across the state about the proposal. SEANC’s No. 1 Policy Platform initiative, as voted on by delegates at the 2011 convention, is to oppose privatization and downsizing of state government services. It is possible that DPS will try to privatize these jobs again in the months ahead, and we will stay vigilant protecting these workers and the taxpayers. Please let your friends and coworkers know about this victory by sharing this link on your Facebook page!

Click here to read the March Reporter!

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SEANC in the news

SEANC Communications Director Toni Davis spoke out for SEANC members in last Sunday’s frontpage article in the Raleigh News & Observer on legislators’ pensions. The story pointed out that legislators get far better retirement benefits than the average state employee, even though they are only part-time workers. Davis was quoted in the article as saying, "Our members would say, 'What's good for the goose is good for the gander.' It's unfair for the legislature to receive a full-time pension for part-time work."

If you agree with Davis, help spread the word by sharing the story on Facebook!

SEANC recruits retirees

More than 70 retired nonmembers showed up to an event in Raleigh on Monday to hear an update from SEANC staff on their pension and health care plans. Several new members were enrolled at the event.

If you would like to host a similar event, contact Member Action Director Lynn Cote. And as always, please recruit new members by directing them to fill out this form.

Forward The Scoop, get gas cards!

Do you forward The SEANC Scoop on to other state employees and retirees? Want to win something for doing it? Throughout the month of March, simply send SEANC's Communications Department the names and email addresses of all the people to which you forwarded the message. Each week, a random winner will receive a $25 gas card. Look for

SEANC Hot Spots:

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

the first winner in next week's Scoop! For more information, contact SEANC Communications Specialist Jonathan Owens.

Member Discount

Are you in the market for a new computer, home appliance or other type of electronic device? If so, don’t forget to check out Purchasing Power! The program is offered to qualified SEANC members as a great member benefit! With Purchasing Power, you can buy new electronics and pay via payroll or pension deduction!

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop March 9, 2012 Linda Coleman for Lt. Governor!

State employees announced this week their support for Linda Coleman for the Democratic Party’s nomination for Lieutenant Governor.

Though all five candidates from the two major parties were invited to attend last weekend’s EMPAC forum, only Coleman and state Rep. Dale Folwell attended. Coleman’s long track record of support for working families would best serve SEANC members’ interests. The primary for both parties is set for May 8.

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Privatization fails again

In another sign that privatization is bad for the state, the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor blasted the North Carolina Rural Vanpool Program in a report issued Thursday, saying it found "gross mismanagement" by the company contracted to run the program. The report states that vans were used to transport South Carolina residents to jobs in North Carolina. It also found more than $163,000 in fees charged to the state it called “excessive and unreasonable.” Opposing privatization in all facets of state government is SEANC’s top legislative priority of 2012, as voted on by the 2012 convention. Please share this article through social media to spread the word of the failures of privatization.

Forward The Scoop, get gas cards!

Do you forward The SEANC Scoop on to other state employees and retirees? Want to win something for doing it? Throughout the month of March, simply send SEANC's Communications Department the names and email addresses of all the people to which you forwarded the message. Each week, a random winner will receive a $25 gas card. Look for the first winner in next week's Scoop! For more information, contact SEANC Communications Specialist Jonathan Owens. Last week’s winner was District 13 member Earonita Strong of Harrisburg. Congrats, Earonita!

Member Discount

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Planning a day trip? How about the North Carolina Zoo? SEANC members and their families receive a $2 discount off admission. You must show your SEANC membership card to receive the discount.

SEANC Hot Spots:

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 March 16, 2012 Help SEANC Hero Linda Coleman today!

SEANC Hero Linda Coleman is running for Lieutenant Governor. Coleman was a tireless champion for state employees and retirees when she served in the N.C. House of Representatives. She even held up the entire state budget process to protect the raises promised to state employees. She stood up for us when no one else would. Now it’s time for us to stand up for her. The May 8 Democratic primary is fast approaching and we need members to help catapult her to victory. Please take a few minutes to fill out this survey, and do all you can to support her today!

Click here to read the March Reporter!

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SEANC member gets major promotion

SEANC District 37 Vice Chairwoman Teresa Hart will take over as the new director of the Public Transportation Division of the Department of Transportation on Monday. Hart will oversee the day-to-day operations of the division in the wake of the state auditor’s findings of “gross mismanagement” in the North Carolina Rural Vanpool Program. The News & Observer published a letter to the editor written by SEANC First Vice President Sidney Sandy on Wednesday pointing out the failings of privatization and the need to keep such services out of the hands of corporations.

More ways to connect with SEANC!

informed.

SEANC now has its own page on Google+ as part of its ongoing effort to reach out to members through social media. If you have a Google+ account, be sure to add SEANC to your circle by visiting our page. And as always, “like” SEANC on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay

Forward The Scoop, get gas cards!

Do you forward The SEANC Scoop to other state employees and retirees? Want to win something for doing it? Throughout the month of March, simply send SEANC's Communications Department the names and email addresses of all the people to which you forwarded the message. Each week, a random winner will receive a $25 gas card.

Response has been tremendous during the first two weeks of the contest, with more than 40 members entering! For more information, contact SEANC Communications Specialist Jonathan Owens. This week’s winner was District 13 member Maxie Childress of Charlotte. Congrats, Maxie!

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

Access savings in your neighborhood!

Download the FREE PerksConnect mobile app from the iPhone App Store or Android Marketplace. A mobile web version is available for BlackBerry users at m.perksconnect.com. Use your current PerksCard Network login credentials to create your mobile account. Set your location by zip code and you’ll find instant savings at thousands of local and national merchants.

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop March 23, 2012 SEANC scores win for open government

In what SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope called “a victory for anyone who believes in open government,” the association settled its four-year lawsuit this week against the State Treasurer’s office. The suit stemmed from a 2007 Forbes magazine article that suggested then-Treasurer Richard Moore had used the investment of state employees’ pension funds for political “pay for play.” SEANC requested all public records pertaining to Moore’s investments in March and October 2007. When Moore was less than forthcoming with the information, the association filed the lawsuit. A contentious legal battle ensued, culminating with an unanimous state Supreme Court decision siding with SEANC. SEANC decided to settle the suit after current Treasurer Janet Cowell provided the association with sufficient records to satisfy the request.

Click here to read the March Reporter!

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SEANC goes back to school for SPA Rights

SEANC has been hard at work on college campuses in recent weeks speaking on the potential loss of SPA rights for employees in the University of North Carolina system. Staff members have made stops recently at Winston-Salem State University (pictured), UNC-Chapel Hill, East Carolina University, N.C. State University and N.C. Central University, and are willing to visit any campus to spread the word. Contact Member Action Director Lynn Cote to bring SEANC to your campus.

Theme park discounts are back!

It’s time once again to purchase your discounted tickets to all the best area theme and water parks!

As always, SEANC and the State Employees Credit Union have teamed up to offer savings at eight different venues in North Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina, including Busch Gardens, Carowinds and Wet ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe. Stop by any of the State Employees’ Credit Union branches starting Monday to pick up your discounted tickets, or fill out and return this form to SEANC.

Forward The Scoop, get gas cards!

Do you forward The SEANC Scoop on to other state employees and retirees? Want to win something for doing it? This is your last chance to win a $25 gas card by sending SEANC's Communications Department the names and email addresses of all the people to which you forwarded the message.

For more information, contact SEANC Communications Specialist Jonathan Owens. Last week’s winner was District 57 member Daisy Stancill of Wilson. Congrats, Daisy!

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

Member Discount

Don’t get stranded in the middle of nowhere! SEANC members receive $10 off first-time enrollment with AAA Carolinas. If already an AAA member, you can receive $10 off gift memberships for family and friends. Complete this application form.