September 2020 • Vol. 38, Issue 6
THE
REPORTER
State Employees Association of North Carolina
EMPAC endorses Dale Folwell for State Treasurer The statewide leadership of SEANC’s political action committee, EMPAC, proudly endorses State Treasurer Dale Folwell for re-election in the 2020 General Election. EMPAC endorsed Folwell in the 2016 election, and since his first day in office he has been a staunch advocate for state employees and retirees. He has always been willing to lend a collaborative ear to SEANC’s concerns involving the retirement system, State Health Plan and protecting the interests of our members. He has been willing to stand up to insurance companies, big healthcare and Wall Street. “After years of bad decisions by our two previous treasurers, State Treasurer Folwell meets with SEANC state Treasurer Folwell has been retirees in 2017. a dream come true for state employees and retirees,” said EMPAC Statewide Chairman Mark Dearmon. “EMPAC is proud to endorse him. We all need to work hard to get him re-elected.” When he took office, Folwell promised to cut unnecessary spending on Wall Street fees paid by the retirement system. He made good on that promise by cutting more than $500 million in fees from the plan in his first year. Ridiculed by his opponents for his safe investing of the state pension plan, that conservative approach proved the right one this year as the economy faced its biggest threat since the Great Depression. While pension plans all over the country have been left reeling, North Carolina’s plan has gained more than 6.3% and now sits at a record $108.1 billion as of the second quarter of 2020. “His conservative management of our retirement fund kept the plan from having significant losses when the economy tanked,” Dearmon said. “He has reduced some of the outrageous fees the pension plan was paying to Wall Street money managers and instituted a more conservative investment strategy. As a result, TSERS weathered the economic downturn much better than most pension funds.” He put his career on the line for state employees and retirees in last year’s fight over the Clear Pricing Project, which would bring transparency and cost savings to the State Health Plan. The big health care machine showed its true colors by enacting a boycott rather than sign on to the much-needed reforms. Folwell was able to get more than 25,000 providers in the state to sign on to the plan, which ties reimbursement rates to Medicare rates. We are confident he will continue to fight for working families in his next term as State Treasurer.
EMPAC Statewide Endorsements
*Incumbent
Roy Cooper* Governor Democrat
Yvonne Lewis Holley Lieutenant Governor Democrat
Dale Folwell* State Treasurer Republican
Elaine Marshall*
Beth Wood* State Auditor Democrat
Supt. of Public Instruction Republican
Steve Troxler*
Mike Causey*
Jessica Holmes
Secretary of State Democrat
Commissioner of Agriculture Republican
CONGRESS
Deborah Ross*
2nd Congressional District Democrat
Commissioner of Insurance Republican
Catherine Truitt
Commissioner of Labor Democrat
NC SUPREME COURT
Cheri Beasley*
Chief Justice Supreme Court, Seat 1 Democrat
Mark Davis*
Associate Justice Supreme Court, Seat 4 Democrat
Go to pages 4-5 to find NC House and Senate EMPAC endorsements.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SEANC is needed NOW more than ever Hi SEANC family, I sincerely hope this column finds you safe and healthy. In March of this year, just a few weeks after I was hired as your Executive Director, the unimaginable became our reality. SEANC, along with the rest of the world, faced unprecedented circumstances as the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe. Like most of the state’s workforce, our staff went home not knowing when they would return. SEANC directors sat down and made a detailed plan for employees to work productively and safely from their homes. Zoom meetings, group texts and conference calls became our day to day connection and took the place of our valuable in-person interactions. So much was uncertain, but one thing was crystal clear — SEANC’s role in the lives of our members was more critical than ever. We were painfully aware that many state employees in essential positions were literally risking their lives every day for the state to keep running. And when members called SEANC asking for help, it wasn’t for more pay or better benefits. It was for policies, actions and equipment to keep them well and their families safe. So it was no surprise to me that our staff and SEANC leaders
rose to the challenge. We created “SEANC Cares” — a team of fast-responding staffers, who served as a one-stop resource for members. Our membership and lobbying teams shifted modes to answer all the questions you sent in — and my goodness, there were a lot of questions! With help from district members, SEANC Cares staff visited worksites to deliver hand sanitizer and snacks in a show of support. While every workplace is vulnerable, our first big issue with COVID-19 presented itself quickly at prisons and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) facilities. We took action and advocated for proper testing, protective gear and protocols to be put in place to keep these heroes as safe as possible where it was impossible to social distance on the job. Working closely with State Treasurer, Dale Folwell, and with his leadership, a testing plan was created and testing for all prison employees was to be made available at work sites through the State Health Plan. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) ultimately decided to implement a less robust testing plan. We have a strong advocate for employee safety at DHHS facilities, where Deputy Secretary, Kody Kinsley,
THE
REPORTER
State Employees Association of NC 1621 Midtown Place • Raleigh, NC 27609 919-833-6436 • 800-222-2758 • www.seanc.org
Jonathan Owens, Editor-In-Chief • Beth Dew, Managing Editor
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. © Copyright 2020 SEANC. All rights reserved.
2
THE REPORTER • September 2020
made it a priority to involve employees on decisions and work with SEANC on solutions. We were excited to present him with our first “Unsung Executive Director Hero” award in July Ardis Watkins for his efforts. The battle against the virus continues, and SEANC will continue our commitment to fight for safe working conditions. We’re facing devastating challenges at our universities and community colleges as well. With students being pushed to online learning, coupled with presumed budget deficits, non-faculty personnel face furloughs and job cuts through no fault of their own. The state must ensure these hardworking employees, many of whom are already disproportionately affected by the virus, do not lose their paychecks and access to health care. In addition, all state employees and retirees are facing uncertainty because of a projected budget shortfall of up to $4 billion. We’ve already seen furloughs implemented at the Department of Transportation (DOT) and will work tirelessly to prevent any in the future. Everyone is striving for some sort of new normal, but it’s going to take time, and it’s going to take working together. I have been at SEANC almost 20 years and I’ve always heard that SEANC is a family. The thing about families is that they show up for each other more than ever when times are tough. And that’s what SEANC has done and will continue to do during the battle with COVID-19. Stay safe, family. And I look forward to seeing you soon.
PUBLIC POLICY Pension plan GROWTH in adverse market reduces retirees’ worries While the state and U.S. economies struggle amid regulatory restraints imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, North Carolina public service retirees can take comfort that their pension is fully funded and that retirement checks will continue to arrive on time. Despite the market volatility that has weakened many other public pension plans, the N.C. Retirement Systems has shown remarkable resiliency. The plans were valued at an estimated $106.4 billion on July 31. That surpasses a record $105.6 billion certified value on Dec. 31, 2019. Investment success during a market downturn isn’t a lucky coincidence. The Department of State Treasurer’s (DST) Investment Management Division worked hard to identify opportunities to strengthen and preserve the Retirement Systems under adverse conditions. Many public pension funds took big hits because they had large unfunded liabilities that lured them to swing for the fences in risky investments that performed poorly during the market instability. North Carolina has one of the best funded pension plans in the nation, which has allowed it to follow a more conservative investment strategy for the past half century. The plan might not earn as much as other retirement systems during market highs, but it doesn’t lose near as much during downturns. A critical piece of the pension plan’s success is the General Assembly’s continued full funding of its pension share. Lawmakers also enacted several bills supporting the Retirement Systems in the 2019 and 2020 sessions.
"As a state employee nearing retirement, a tremendous burden is lifted by knowing the state treasury is being managed in the right way." Chris Collins of Chatham County
One piece of legislation I requested requires an actuary to stress test the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS) every five years. Last year, we voluntarily submitted the TSERS plan to a stress test and were advised it is a leader among states for potential to meet financial obligations during tough economic conditions. We are seeing that borne out now. That stability is crucial to meeting our obligation of providing $543 million in monthly pension checks to more than 320,000 retired state and local government employees. And the plan’s durability is important to the 662,000 current and former employees who have contributed to the retirement system but are not yet collecting pension checks. Ask Chris Collins of Chatham County, who said he’s not surprised the pension plan “has done remarkably well in these tough market conditions.” “My expectations of the retirement system are that the public servants who are elected and put into the positions of managing it, that they strive to make sure the people that have worked so hard over their careers get what they were promised when they signed up to serve the citizens of North Carolina,”
Collins told us. “As a state employee nearing retirement, a tremendous burden is lifted by knowing the state treasury is being managed in the right way.” State Treasurer That’s why we Dale R. Folwell, CPA work hard to prevent and detect waste, fraud and abuse. We closely monitor to ensure pension spiking practices don’t result in undeserved overpayments that require everyone in the system to pay for special favors to a few. At DST we count pennies and paperclips to keep unnecessary government spending in check. We’ve cut fees to Wall Street investment managers and others by about $312 million since 2017, with savings projected to reach $350 million through December. Total pension administration costs $23 per active member, compared to $98 for our peer institutions. Our administration costs have remained steady from 2013 through 2019, while peer systems’ costs rose 1.2% each of those seven years. We are in the check delivery business and take that role seriously. Every dollar we save is a dollar that helps to preserve the pension plan for those who teach, protect and otherwise serve their fellow North Carolinians. The Reporter, USPS 009-852 (ISSN 1069 2142), is published six times a year in the months of February, April, June, July, September and November for $2.50 per year, per member, by the State Employees Association of North Carolina, Inc., 1621 Midtown Place, Raleigh, NC 27609. Periodicals postage paid at Raleigh and additional offices. POSTMASTER, Send address changes to: THE REPORTER, 1621 Midtown Place, Raleigh, NC 27609.
THE REPORTER • September 2020
3
2020 EMPAC
N.C. House Candidates
4
District 1 Edward C. Goodwin*
District 2 Cindy Deporter
District 4 Christopher Schulte
District 5 Howard J. Hunter, III*
District 9 Brian Farkas
District 10 John R. Bell, IV*
District 13 Pat McElraft*
District 17 Tom Simmons
District 18 Deb Butler*
Republican
Democrat
Democrat
Democrat
Democrat
Republican
Republican
Democrat
Democrat
District 19 Marcia Morgan
District 20 Adam Ericson
District 26 Donna McDowell White*
District 27 Michael H. Wray*
District 28 Larry C. Strickland*
District 34 Ronald L. Smith
District 35 Terence Everitt*
District 37 Sydney Batch*
District 38 Abe Jones
Democrat
Democrat
Republican
Democrat
Republican
Republican
Democrat
Democrat
Democrat
District 39 Darren G. Jackson*
District 40 Joe John*
District 42 Marvin W. Lucas*
District 44 William (Billy) Richardson*
District 45 John Szoka*
District 46 Brenden H. Jones*
District 47 Charles Graham*
District 48 Garland E. Pierce*
District 50 Graig R. Meyer*
Democrat
Democrat
Democrat
Democrat
Republican
Republican
Democrat
Democrat
Democrat
District 54 Robert T. Reives, II*
District 57 Ashton Clemmons*
District 58 Amos Quick*
District 59 Jon Hardister*
District 60 Cecil Brockman*
District 63 Stephen Ross*
District 64 Dennis Riddell*
District 68 Ericka L. McKnight
District 69 Dean Arp*
Democrat
Democrat
Democrat
Republican
Democrat
Republican
Republican
Democrat
Republican
District 70 Pat B. Hurley*
District 71 Evelyn Terry*
District 74 Dan Besse
District 78 Allen Ray McNeill*
District 80 Wendy Sellars
District 82 Aimy Steele
District 83 Gail Young
District 84 Jeffrey C. McNeely*
District 85 Ted Remington
Republican
Democrat
Democrat
Republican
Democrat
Democrat
Democrat
Republican
Democrat
THE REPORTER • September 2020
ENDORSEMENTS
NOV. 3
District 86 Hugh Blackwell*
District 89 Mitchell Setzer*
District 92 Terry Brown
District 97 Jason Saine*
District 99 Nasif Majeed*
District 101 Carolyn G. Logan*
District 103 Rachel Hunt*
Republican
Republican
Democrat
Republican
Democrat
Democrat
Democrat
*Incumbent
District 104 Brandon Lofton* Democrat
District 109 Dana Bumgardner*
District 111 Tim Moore*
District 112 Ed Hallyburton
District 113 Jake Johnson*
District 114 Susan Fisher*
District 115 John Ager*
District 116 Brian Turner*
Republican
Republican
Democrat
Republican
Democrat
Democrat
Democrat
District 107 Kelly M. Alexander, Jr. *Democrat
District 118 Alan Jones Democrat
N.C. Senate Candidates
District 1 Bob Steinburg*
District 5 Don Davis*
District 7 Jim Perry*
District 8 Bill Rabon*
District 9 Harper Peterson*
District 12 Jim Burgin*
District 13 Danny Earl Britt, Jr.*
District 14 Dan Blue*
District 15 Jay J. Chaudhuri*
Republican
Democrat
Republican
Republican
Democrat
Republican
Republican
Democrat
Democrat
District 16 Wiley Nickel*
District 17 Sam Searcy*
District 18 Sarah Crawford
District 19 Kirk deViere*
District 22 Mike Woodard*
District 23 Valerie P. Foushee*
District 24 Amy S. Galey
District 25 Tom McInnis*
District 27 Michael Garrett*
Democrat
Democrat
Democrat
Democrat
Democrat
Democrat
Republican
Republican
Democrat
District 29 Steve Jarvis
District 30 Philip E. (Phil) Berger*
Republican
Republican
District 31 Joyce Krawiec*
District 38 Mujtaba A. Mohammed*
District 40 Joyce Waddell*
District 50 Kevin Corbin
Democrat
Democrat
District 46 Warren Daniel*
District 49 Julie Mayfield
Republican
District 41 Natasha Marcus* Democrat
Republican
Democrat
Republican
THE REPORTER • September 2020
5
SCHOLARSHIP The SEANC Scholarship Foundation and SEANC districts across the state announced they are awarding $141,000 in scholarships; $48,000 of that is being given out by the statewide SEANC Scholarship Foundation to 47 deserving students. The five categories of statewide scholarships include: MEMBERONLY $500 scholarship awarded to SEANC members.
TWO-YEAR MERIT $500 scholarship to attend a community college, technical school or trade school.
TWO-YEAR FINANCIAL $500 scholarship to attend a community college, technical school or trade school.
FOUR-YEAR MERIT $1,000 scholarship to attend a four-year college or university.
FOUR-YEAR FINANCIAL $1,500 scholarship to attend a four-year college or university.
Member-Only ($500)
Brenda Williams Raleigh
Sandra Worthey Charlotte
UNC-Chapel Hill Member of District 44 Department of State Treasurer
Central Piedmont Community College Member of District 13 Central Piedmont Community College
Tabitha Collins Charlotte
Rev. Mac Melvin Elizabethtown
Central Piedmont Community College Member of District 26 Department of Public Safety
NC Theological Seminary Member of District 23 Department of Transportation
Amanda Allen Sylva
Western Carolina University Member of District 1 Southwestern Community College
Lisa Warren Greensboro
NC Agricultural & Technical University Member of District 17 A&T University
Two-Year Merit ($500)
Christopher Major Louisburg
Wake Technical Community College Son of District 40 member David Major Department of Public Safety
Zachary Washburn Oakboro
South Piedmont Community College Son of District 10 member Chassity Speight-Washburn Stanly Community College
Two-Year Financial ($500)
Mallory Sawyer Edenton
Pitt Community College Daughter of District 68 member Michael Parker Department of Public Safety
Joshua Priddy Sandy Ridge
Forsyth Technical Community College Son of District 16 member Michael Priddy Department of Transportation
Sierra Ramsey Granite Falls
Caldwell Community College Daughter of District 5 member Kristi Ramsey Caldwell County Schools
Iyonna Lewis Morganton
Western Piedmont Community College Daughter of District 6 member Shenita Martin Western Piedmont Community College
Heather Price Goldsboro
Wayne Community College Daughter of District 60 member Jeffrey Price Department of Health & Human Services
THREE WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION 1. PAYROLL DEDUCTION. Go to scholarship.seanc.org.
Jayla Washington Greenville
Pitt Community College Daughter of District 68 member Widnelia Lynch-Santos Department of Health & Human Services
6
Julia Byrd Lexington
Forsyth Technical Community College Daughter of District 16 member Barry Byrd Deptartment of Transportation
THE REPORTER • September 2020
2. COMBINED CAMPAIGN. You may contribute by participating through the State Employees Combined Campaign. Look for number 1563 — SEANC Scholarship Foundation. 3. DIRECTLY TO FOUNDATION. You may also make a contribution directly to the SEANC Scholarship Foundation. Please make checks payable to the SEANC Scholarship Foundation. Donations to the SEANC Scholarship Foundation are tax deductible.
SCHOLARSHIP Four-Year Merit ($1,000)
Shane Fogarty Gastonia
Catherine Buchholtz Morganton
Alice Knight Boone
Emma Davis Clemmons
NC State University Son of District 9 member David Fogarty NC State University
UNC Chapel Hill Daughter of District 3 member Oscar Knight Appalachian State University
UNC Chapel Hill Daughter of District 7 member Kevin Buchholtz Dept. of Health & Human Services
UNC Chapel Hill Daughter of District 16 member Ray Davis, Jr. Retired
Zachary Everson Cary
Cody Liverman Roanoke Rapids
Jordan Campbell Whiteville Duke University Son of District 24 member Melvin Campbell Department of Public Safety
Boston College Daughter of District 37 member Christopher Murray Department of Transportation
UNC Chapel Hill Daughter of District 1 member Jeffrey Davis Western Carolina University
NC State University Son of District 4 member Rhonda Benfield Cleveland County Schools
Nicole Sommerdorf Raleigh
Annaleigh Breedlove Morganton
Sarah Singer McLeansville
Leslie Sutton Kinston
Kylie McDonald Richmond
NC State University Son of District 39 member Paige Everson Wake County Public Schools
Paige Cameron Fayetteville
NC State University Son of District 56 member George Liverman Department of Transportation
UNC Chapel Hill Daughter of District 22 member Anthony Cameron Fayetteville Technical Community College
Appalachian State University Daughter of District 40 member Kim Sommerdorf Department of Natural & Cultural Resources
UNC Chapel Hill Daughter of District 6 member Keith Breedlove Department of Health & Human Services
Taylor Brown Winterville
Elijah Williams Albemarle
Brandon Cain Fayetteville
Sylvia Murray Durham
Tessa Davis Cullowhee
Zach Benfield Lawndale
NC State University Daughter of District 17 member Sherri Singer Alamance Community College
UNC Chapel Hill Daughter of District 70 member Cynthia Sutton Department of Public Safety
Campbell University Daughter of District 18 member Sandra McDonald Richmond County Schools
Brianna Pineda Raleigh
Samayia Floyd Henderson
Ashley Graham Whitakers
Four-Year Financial ($1,500)
Alexys Oliver Red Springs
UNC Pembroke Daughter of District 20 member Jacque Chatman Department of Public Safety
Oluwabunkola Ojo Winston-Salem Winston-Salem University Daughter of District 16 member Stephen Ojo Department of Public Safety
Mackenzie Dillahunt Charlotte Hampton University Daughter of District 12 member Shannon Dillahunt Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Public Schools
Joshua Parton Asheville
Mars Hill University Son of District 2 member Mark Parton Department of Public Safety
East Carolina University Daughter of District 65 member Bridget Brown East Carolina University
James Biddix Spruce Pine
UNC Chapel Hill Son of District 10 member John Williams Stanly County Schools
East Tennessee State University Son of District 3 member David Biddix Western Piedmont Community College
Fayetteville State University East Carolina University Son of Daughter of District 22 member District 38 member Latoya Cain Melissa Madrid Department of Health & Department of Human Services Public Instruction
Jenna Sherrill Lincolnton
Pieffer University Daughter of District 9 member Melanie Sherrill Gaston County Schools
Zabrina Hice Morganton
Appalachian State University Daughter of District 5 member Amanda Hice Department of Public Instruction
A&T University Daughter of District 21 member Kathy Floyd Department of Health & Human Services
Maggie Cook Connelly Springs
Appalachian State University Daughter of District 6 member Jeanna Cook Department of Health & Human Services
Meredith College Daughter of District 57 member Kela Graham Department of Insurance
Coleman Moore Fuquay Varina
UNC Greensboro Son of District 40 member Andrea Moore Department of Public Safety
THE REPORTER • September 2020
7
RETIREE FOCUS SEANC awards scholarships to members’ grandchildren The following SEANC members’ grandchildren were awarded $500 scholarships to assist their accredited college or university expenses. The awards were given by the SEANC Retiree Council.
Mason Herman Hudson
Reagan Wallace Iron Station
Danielle Richmond Pinehurst
Alexys Oliver Red Springs
Braxton Nowell Leland
Western Carolina University grandson of District 7 member Ralph Kincaid
Western Carolina University granddaughter of District 1 member James Wallace
UNC Chapel Hill granddaughter of District 20 member Mary Roukema
UNC Pembroke granddaughter of District 20 member Clara Oliver
UNC Chapel Hill grandson of District 62 member Esther Smith
Megan Cribb Nakina
Bryce Parker Charlotte
Caleb Turner Garner
Brianna Miles Edenton
Kiyelle Brown Greensboro
Southeastern Community College granddaughter of District 23 member Sue Faulk
Howard University grandson of District 42 member Marilyn Suitt
UNC Charlotte grandson of District 44 member Carolyn Turner
East Carolina University granddaughter of District 68 member Derrick Wadsworth
UNC Greensboro granddaughter of District 59 member Shirley Perry
Non-Medicare and Medicare Retiree Health Plan Changes for 2021 Big changes are coming to Medicare Advantage plans through the State Health Plan next year. Open enrollment is set for Oct. 15-31, and SEANC has put together the information below to help our retirees navigate the process. You may be required to take action in order to maintain the same tier of benefits with the transition. Please use the information below as a guide, and email us at seanccares@seanc.org if you have questions.
All Medicare retiree members currently covered under UnitedHealthcare will be moved to Humana for the 2021 benefit year, which begins Jan. 1, 2021. Medicare UHC Base Plan or UHC Enhanced Plan (Current Plan) • You will default to the Humana Base Plan in 2021 if no action is taken • ACTION REQUIRED to move to the Humana Enhanced Plan or the BCBCNC 70/30 Plan
All non-Medicare retiree members currently covered under Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) will remain insured by BCBSNC. Non-Medicare BCBSNC 80/20 Plan or BCBSNC 70/30 Plan (Current Plan) • You will default or remain in the BCBSNC 70/30 plan if no action is taken • ACTION REQUIRED to remain or move to the BSBSNC 80/20 plan
8
THE REPORTER • September 2020
Medicare BCBSNC 70/30 Plan (Current Plan) • You may remain in the BCBSNC 70/30 plan in 2021 if no action is taken • ACTION REQUIRED to move to the Humana Plans
HOW TO TAKE ACTION • Go to www.shpnc.org/ebenefits during Open Enrollment (Oct. 15-31, 2020) and select your healthcare plan • Review the 2021 healthcare plans now before Open Enrollment www.shpnc.org/2021-benefit-information • Review your options of supplemental policies by viewing the SEANC Insurance Guide at www.seanc.org/insuranceguide
Doug Sutton
Insurance Services Providing quality and affordable insurance to SEANC members for over 40 years. We appreciate doing business with you!
Please call us if we can be of service.
919-836-9993 or Toll Free: 1-800-788-7771 dougsutton@dougsuttonins.com
For information on insurance products visit www.ncsecu.org. Insurance products are not guaranteed by, or an obligation of, any credit union and are not insured by NCUA. Insurance Representatives are licensed to sell in North Carolina only.
Spread joy everywhere from anywhere Purchasing Power, a purchase program offered by SEANC, makes it easy to bring comfort and joy to loved ones near and far. Check off your wish list and theirs, from holiday décor to connected tech to the hottest brand-name gifts. Shop today with no credit check and no hidden fees. Pay over time – right from your paycheck.
20
% off
*
your first order
Promo code:
20FALL
Ends 10/30/20
No credit check | Fixed payments | No hidden fees
Get started at SEANC.PurchasingPower.com or call 877-797-5558 * Promo valid online only for 20% off through 10/30/20 at 11:59 pm PST. First time buyers only. Offer excludes Square Trade Warranties, Automotive, and Vacations. Offer subject to change and/or end without notice. Go online to purchasingpower.com/exclusions for full details. “A Better Way to Buy” is a trademark, and “Purchasing Power” is a registered trademark, of Purchasing Power, LLC. Other trademarks or registered trademarks used are the property of their respective owners. © 2020 Purchasing Power, LLC. All rights reserved.
THE REPORTER • September 2020
9
SUBMITTED BY BONITA HENDERSON
MEMBERS IN ACTION
District 16 members delivered snacks to Davidson Correctional on Aug. 11 and welcomed longtime SEANC advocate Danny Baker as the new warden.
District 64 Chair Latina Shelley poses with Olivia Sutton, Lead Counselor at Pitt Community College (PPC) in Greenville. SEANC District 64 made a monetary contribution to the PCC Food Bank to assist PCC students in need of food. The Emerging Leaders Council recently presented donation checks to the Ronald McDonald House and the SECU Family House.
District 16 members delivered treats to personnel at Forsyth Correctional on Aug. 13.
J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center Volunteer Services Director Alicia Wilson of District 7 placed signs with District 7 Chair Henry Belada in Morganton on June 19.
District 44 members dropped off snacks and signs on Aug. 19 at the Capital Police Headquarters in Raleigh.
SEANC made deliveries of snacks and signs at the Department of Administration (District 44) and the Departments of Social Services in Hertford, Bertie and Martin Counties (District 63).
10
THE REPORTER • September 2020
MEMBERS IN ACTION
SUBMITTED BY CYNTHIA HART
District 65 members participated in Street Clean-Up on Aug. 1. Pictured is Kiana Price, Phyllis Hart and District 65 Chair Cynthia Hart.
District 25 Chairman James Holman, a member of the UNC Employee Forum and the UNC Staff Assembly, worked with Employee Forum Chair Shayna Hill and Black Caucus Chair Dawna Jones to donate 500 face shields on Aug. 20 to ensure that the staff is properly protected.
STATE PERSONNEL CASES:
PROTECTING STATE EMPLOYEE RIGHTS Representing State Employees in Grievances, Court of Appeals, and NC Office of Administrative Hearings SEANC and District 59 members delivered more than 1,300 treat bags and signs to Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro to show our appreciation for the staff's hard work during the pandemic.
■ Disciplinary Appeals ■ Grievances /Just Cause ■ Exempt Designation ■ Health Care Registry
■ Whistleblower Cases ■ Dismissal Appeals ■ Law Enforcement Certification
State employees are good people. But even good people make mistakes — mistakes that violate your rights as a career employee, discriminate against you, or cost you a promotion or job. I’ve practiced law for over 20 years, including 10 years as a Wake County district court judge. I’ve got the experience you need to guide you through your personnel case. SUBMITTED BY BETTY JACKSON
If you have a grievance, disciplinary appeal, or any state employment matter, call (919) 624-5171 or email me at jennifer@jenniferknoxlaw.com.
The Law Office of Jennifer Knox
4600 Marriott Drive, Suite 200 ■ Raleigh, NC 27612 919-624-5171 ■ www.jenniferknoxlaw.com District 38 members delivered more than 800 goodie bags to workers at offices around Raleigh in August.
THE REPORTER • September 2020
11
Periodical Postage PAID Raleigh, NC
D ion ct
ay is N
EVERY
o
3 v.
Ele
1621 Midtown Place Raleigh, NC 27609
VOTE
Ch
ec
k in
-5
COUNTS
s id e p a g es
4 1,
SEANC INSURANCE Annual open enrollment for all state employees is October 15-31.
You have options. Check out SEANC insurance plans before you renew.
Visit SEANC.org to check out the benefits of SEANC insurance products. Accident Accidental Death & Dismemberment
Auto Cancer Critical Illness
Dental Disability Home/Rental
Hospital Confinement & Indemnity Identity Theft
Legal Plan Long-Term Care Pet
Term Life Vision Whole Life
State Employees Association of North Carolina