ECU, Vidant execute formal agreement to merge
East Carolina University and Vidant Health executed a formal agreement in late July to integrate ECU Physicians Group and Vidant Medical Group, completing a merger that gives away state assets and jeopardizes the future and stability of 1,200 state employees.
This deal essentially gives Vidant a monopoly over health services in Eastern North Carolina. It will dramatically weaken competition in a community that relies upon affordable and accessible healthcare.
Throughout this process, the state employees at ECU Physicians were promised that they would have an opportunity to collaborate and offer input on merger discussions. Instead, this deal was made behind closed doors, intentionally designed to silence the voices of the people who would be impacted the most.
SEANC has been actively pursuing legal avenues to best advocate on behalf of the 1,200 affected state employees. Know that our fight doesn’t stop here. We will continue to challenge any agreement that hands the hard-earned money of taxpayers over to private interests without legislative
approval and public input.
Your involvement is more critical now than ever. Please call and email your legislators and ask them to publicly oppose this merger. Urge them to stand up and protect state employees, taxpayers and accessible healthcare.
BCBS NC, Mission Health dispute puts western members at risk
Members in the west are facing increased health care costs because of an ongoing contract dispute between Mission Health System, which operates six hospitals and other facilities in the Asheville area, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC), the state’s largest insurance provider. BCBSNC administers the State Health Plan, so all state employees and retirees it covers will be affected by the dispute.
After six months of negotiation, Mission officials informed BCBSNC this week that it will leave the network effective Oct. 5, becoming the only system in North Carolina outside of the State Health Plan’s network. This means that plan members will be charged out-ofnetwork rates should they need care at a Mission facility. BCBSNC will continue to provide emergency care at in-network rates.
Representatives from BCBSNC laid out the details of an ongoing dispute with Mission Health in a presentation for the SEANC Board of Governors on Friday, July 21.
The BCBSNC officials contend that Mission Health is already overcharging them for services, and
plan to raise prices even more. That cost is passed on to all BCBSNC customers, including members of the State Health Plan.
Members from the west voiced strong concerns about this dispute at the board meeting. Second Vice President Jimmy Davis told the BCBSNC representatives that Mission Hospital had saved his life during a recent health scare. Western Region Representative Cliff Johnson and others echoed similar sentiments. They encouraged BCBSNC to settle this dispute quickly, or the plan members will suffer in the end.
SEANC and the State Treasurer’s Office continue to monitor the situation, and will provide information as it becomes available.
PUBLIC POLICY
2017 Legislative Results
Secured pay increase, longevity pay saved
• $1,000 across the board pay raise for all state employees. This equates to around a 2.5-percent increase for the average state employee, and higher for lower paid employees.
• Three days of bonus leave that can be used at any time, but cannot be paid out at retirement.
• Secured step pay increases.
• Retained longevity pay.
A true cost-of-living adjustment for retirees
• A 1-percent true COLA that will increase pension checks for years to come, rather than a bonus that would only have a one-year impact.
Exposed privatization efforts at DOT
• Brought to light attempted mass privatization in the Department of Transportation and stopped any new attempts to cut jobs and privatize more of that department.
STANDING UP FOR CERTIFIED CORRECTIONAL PERSONNEL
• The tragic death of Sgt. Meggan Callahan, a SEANC member and correctional officer at Bertie Correctional Institution, in late April brought to light the immense dangers that state employees face each day at our prisons due to understaffing, low pay and poor training.
• SEANC convinced legislators to pass a formal resolution honoring Sgt. Callahan in both the Senate and the House.
• Coordinated tours of prisons so legislators could get a firsthand view of officers' working conditions.
• SEANC continues to push legislators to recognize correctional officers as law enforcement and afford them the same rights and benefits as other officers.
• SEANC lobbied successfully for a legislative study of correctional officer benefits.
Results by the Numbers
• House bills reviewed by SEANC: 924
• Senate bills reviewed by SEANC: 689
• Committee meetings covered: 564
Ensured retirement security, funding
• Full funding of the retirement system for the seventh year in a row, with an increase in legislative (employer) contribution to 10.78 percent to the Retirement System.
• Ensured continuation of the defined benefit retirement plan for current and future state retirees despite an attempt by Senate leaders to move new hires to a 401k system.
• The state is on track to cut more than $100 million in investment fees paid by the retirement system this year thanks to SEANC shining a light on this issue.
Fought back attempt to take away your right to have SEANC dues and other payments deducted from paychecks
• A bill that would have taken away an employee's right to have dues, insurance premiums and PAC donations deducted from their pay checks, passed the Senate, but SEANC was able to hold off attempts to pass it in the House.
Increased funding for the State Health Plan
• Worked with State Treasurer Dale Folwell on State Health Plan reforms resulting in a commitment from the treasurer to hold premiums at current rate with no increases for the next four years.
• SEANC worked with legislators to secure a 4-percent increase in funding for the plan.
Maintained worker rights and protections
• Worked with legislators and monitored bills to ensure that the rights and protections afforded to state employees in the State Human Resources Act remained intact.
The Reporter, USPS 009-852 (ISSN 1069 2142), is published six times a year in the months of November, February, April, May, July and September for $2.50 per year, per member, by the State Employees Association of North Carolina, Inc., 1621 Midtown Place, Raleigh, N.C. 27609.
Periodicals postage paid at Raleigh and additional offices.
POSTMASTER, Please send address changes to: THE REPORTER ● 1621 Midtown Place ● Raleigh, NC 27609
Candidates for SEANC statewide office announced
SEANC leadership for 2017-2018 will be determined by approximately 820 delegates at the 34th Annual SEANC Convention on Sept. 8. SEANC Bylaws require members to announce their candidacy in writing or in person to the Board of Governors no later than 45 days prior to the convention or nominations can be submitted from the convention floor. Statewide officer terms are for one year and begin Oct. 1, 2017, and run through Sept. 30, 2018. Officers may hold the same office for two consecutive years. EMPAC Chairman Tony Smith is not up for re-election, since he has one year left on his term.
Stanley Drewery of District 67 retired with 30 years of state service with both the Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Safety and received the Order of Long Leaf Pine award. He has been a member of SEANC for 35 years. Drewery currently serves as President. He is a veteran and served seven years in the Army National Guard. He is a Grifton resident.
Jimmy Davis of District 4 is a 28.5-year state employee and 28-year SEANC member. He is the current Second Vice President. Davis is a Probation/Parole officer for the Department of Public Safety. He is a Forest City resident.
Darius McLaurin is currently the First Vice President. He has been a SEANC member for 12 years and has worked for the state for 24 years. McLaurin currently is the Chief Business Officer at The Governor Morehead School in the Department of Public Instruction. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Johnson C. Smith University. He is a Raleigh resident.
Chevella Thomas of District 27 retired with 33 years of state service with N.C. Central University's Division of Administration and Finance and is a 32-year SEANC member. Thomas is the current General Treasurer. She holds bachelors' degrees in accounting and management and a master's degree in information sciences. She is a Durham resident.
Exhibitors
• Augeo/Perksconnect
• Doug Sutton and Associates, Inc. (President’s Reception/Lanyard Sponsor)
Exhibitors
• BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina (Thursday and Friday PM Snack Sponsor)
• Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company (Convention Tote Sponsor)
• Carowinds/Kings Dominion
Exhibitors
• Busch Gardens Williamsburg
• Colonial Life
• Liberty Mutual Insurance
• NC State Employees’ Credit Union
• Purchasing Power
• Southeastern Senior Strategies, LLC
• Spectera Vision
• The Sutherland Benefit Group
• Travelers Auto and Home Insurance
• UnitedHealthcare Dental
• Wet ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe
Drewery
Thomas
McLaurin
Davis
SEANC ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
The SEANC Scholarship Foundation and SEANC districts across the state announced they are awarding more than $100,000 in awards; $39,500 of that is being given out by the statewide SEANC Scholarship Foundation to 48 well-deserving students. The five categories of statewide scholarships include:
Four-year financial — a $1,000 scholarship to attend a four-year college or university.
Four-year merit — a $1,000 merit scholarship to attend a four-year college or university.
Two-year financial — a $500 scholarship to attend a community college, technical school or trade school.
Two-year merit — a $500 merit scholarship to attend a community college, technical school or trade school.
Member only — a $500 scholarship awarded to SEANC members.
Kylie
Lees-McRae
Daughter
Cedierdra' Sydnor
Felicia Chiambiro
SEANC ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
Frame by frame, members raise funds for SEANC scholarships SCHARSHIP BOWL-A-THON
The SEANC Scholarship Foundation held its annual Bowl-a-thon on Saturday, July 22, at Buffaloe Lanes North in Raleigh.
Thanks to the support of many, this tournament was a great success, netting $5,000 for the Scholarship Foundation! The event featured a silent auction with items donated by SEANC members and local businesses.
Special thanks to the Scholarship Foundation Board, our corporate sponsors – Doug Sutton and Associates, Inc., Colonial Life and Liberty Mutual, our lane sponsors Districts 9, 10, 12, 17, 39, 56, 61 and Emerging Leaders Committee, and our team sponsors – Districts 3, 16, 19, 38, 41, 58, 65, SEANC Executive Committee and Mitch Leonard and our many volunteers, and for donations from Wayne Fish of District 2 and District 22.
PHOTOS BY AMANDA WISE
District 10 Chairman Dennis Hartley, Greg Rhodes, Jamison Rhodes, Matthew Cote, Norris and Caleb Bridges and Jarred Rhodes had the highest singlegame score of the event.
Member Relations Representative Celia Wilson and Scholarship Foundation Board
Members Nicole Hunter, Sherry McFeaters and Angela Lyght give District 45 member Harold Cunningham his wrist band to bowl.
District 17 member Isaac Rogers lines up for a strike.
Emerging Leaders Chairwoman Emily Jones heads to the lane for her turn to bowl.
District 65 member Tammy Heller ponders a bid on a silent auction item.
District 3 Chairman Dr. Pat Reighard enjoys watching fellow SEANC members and their friends and families having fun at the event.
Jonathan owens, Editor-In-Chief Beth Dew, Managing Editor amanDa wise, Associate Editor sara Cowell CoBurn, Associate Editor
State Employees Association of North Carolina 1621 Midtown Place • Raleigh, NC 27609 Telephone 919-833-6436, 800-222-2758 www.seanc.org
Advertising Policy
SEANC accepts advertising material from companies and persons seeking to communicate with SEANC members. Acceptance of this advertising does not indicate SEANC approval or endorsement of any representation that the message, product or service is as represented by the advertiser. SEANC accepts no responsibility and shall not be liable for any use of or reliance on any such information, product or service. SEANC is a private entity and is under no obligation to carry advertisements of any nature, political or otherwise, that may be viewed as contrary to the interests of the association and its membership.
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My practice is restricted to state personnel disciplinary and licensing matters. I have litigated personnel cases in the Office of Administrative Hearings since the 1990s.
If you have a grievance, disciplinary appeal, or any state employment matter, call (919) 865-2572 or email me at michael@mbyrnelawnc.com.
Learn how I put 20 years of experience and consistent success in state personnel cases to work for you - when your rights are on the line.
LAW OFFICES OF MICHAEL C. BYRNE
75 years ago, we made a promise to America’s workers –to help preserve and protect the vitally important things they work so hard to build. Even if unexpected events and challenging times get in their way.
Colonial Life is proud of our long relationship and partnership with the State Employees Association of North Carolina. To learn more contact:
1621 Midtown Place
Raleigh, NC 27609
State Health Plan 2018 Open Enrollment Begins Sept. 30
From the Office of State Treasurer
Changes Reduce Complexity, Add Value Open enrollment is Sept. 30-Oct. 31, 2017, and changes are coming for State Health Plan (Plan) members. You’ll notice that enrollment used to take about 50 “clicks” to complete but now takes about 10! This is just one of several changes that reduce complexity, maintain quality health coverage and contribute to the Plan’s long-term financial stability. Also:
• Family premiums have been frozen;
• Copays and deductibles will not increase;
• You only have to complete the tobacco attestation credit, not a 34-question survey; and
• The Consumer-Directed Health Plan (CDHP) is being eliminated (HRA funds must be used by Dec. 31, 2017).
2018 Plan Options, Premiums –Why the Change?
To reduce complexity, members will have two plan options: the 70/30 Plan and 80/20 Plan. Both plans will have employee-only premiums, which are necessary because:
• Medical costs are projected to increase 7 percent.
• Pharmaceutical costs are projected to increase 8.5 percent
• The Governor and General Assembly only funded the plans at a 4-percent increase.
Each plan will have an employeeonly premium. After completing tobacco attestation, members will pay:
• $25 per month employee-only premium for the 70/30 Plan*
• $50 per month employee-only premium for the 80/20 Plan*
Raleigh, NC
* You will be automatically enrolled in the 70/30 Plan unless you TAKE ACTION to elect the 80/20 Plan. Also, you must complete tobacco attestation to receive the lower monthly premium. Remember: copays and deductibles are not increasing.
Help is Available!
The Plan will host Open Enrollment events in-person and online. For more information and to register, go to www.shpnc.org. You’ll also receive information by mail. Please READ IT so you can pick the best choice for you and your family.
For questions, call the Eligibility and Enrollment Support Center at 855859-0966. During Open Enrollment extended hours will be available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m.-noon.