April reporter 2018 by SEANC

April 2018 • Vol. 36, Issue 3

THE

REPORTER

State Employees Association of North Carolina

Prison reform the focus as GA session approaches The attacks continue on the brave workers and officers at our state prisons, with state workers being assaulted at a rate of once every eight hours. Enough is enough. Earlier this year, SEANC’s Select Committee on Prison Reform began sorting through member suggestions on how to make a safer work environment. More than 150 SEANC members who work in corrections submitted responses online, and SEANC President Stanley Drewery and other SEANC leaders met in person with dozens more workers. The committee is developing a list of practical solutions suggested by correctional officers and staff, giving

them a voice in the ongoing discussion. These solutions will provide a framework for SEANC’s legislative efforts in the coming year and will be used by Drewery as he serves on Gov. Roy Cooper’s task force. Suggestions include: • Increased pay and job security for officers and staff to tackle the understaffing problem. • Policy changes, like an overhaul of the inmate infractions system. • Increased training and a significant investment in equipment. SEANC will continue to work with Gov. Cooper’s administration and legislative leaders to make sure that workers’ voices are heard in the

Failed UNC/Atrium merger similar to ECU proposal A proposed merger between UNC Health Care and Atrium Health of Charlotte failed in early March because of concerns similar to those SEANC has raised of the proposed ECU Physicians/Vidant Health merger. Many state leaders, including State Treasurer Dale Folwell, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina and SEANC, objected to the UNC/Atrium merger, which would have created one of the largest hospital systems in the country. SEANC Executive Director Robert Broome joined Folwell in a meeting with UNC officials in late February, and left with more questions than answers

In This Issue 2 4-5 7 8

Retirement Members in Action Scholarship Theme Park Season

about the fate of 14,000 state employees affected by the proposal. “Although we received verbal assurances that state employees would be protected, there were key provisions that weren’t spelled out,” Broome said. “I would have thought by now they would be able to articulate the details of how the joint operating committee would function.” SEANC continues to speak out about a similar situation in Greenville, where hospital behemoth Vidant is attempting to monopolize health care in eastern North Carolina by merging with ECU Physicians. The merger puts the careers of 1,321 state employees in jeopardy. It will also lead to increased costs for thousands of patients in the region and for the State Health Plan, and result in the forfeiture of millions of dollars of state assets to Vidant.

ongoing reform process. We urge all members to contact their lawmakers before the upcoming General Assembly short session, which begins on May 16. Visit engage.seanc.org to look up your legislators’ contact information, and send them a message easily. Ask them to visit a prison and see the dangers first-hand, and impress upon them that all state employee and retiree issues should be prioritized in the upcoming session.

Leonard retires after 41 years of SEANC service Longtime SEANC staff member Mitch Leonard called it a career in early March after 41 years of service to state employees and retirees in North Mitch Leonard Carolina. Leonard became the first field representative for SEANC’s predecessor organization, the North Carolina State Government Employees Association (NCSGEA) in 1977, and covered the entire state for many years. In recent years, he also served as a lobbyist. He came out of retirement in 2015 when he was named SEANC’s Executive Director, a capacity he served in until Jan. 1, when Robert Broome took over. “It’s safe to say that no one has ever done more to advance the lives and interests of state employees and retirees than Mitch,” said President Stanley Drewery. “His commitment and dedication to this organization are unparalleled, and his retirement leaves big shoes to fill.”

RETIREMENT Get Involved — Your Retirement Benefits are at Stake! By The 4th Branch

SEANC is part of The 4th Branch, a coalition of groups representing military, federal, state and local publicservice retirees as well as current employees. The coalition’s goal is to achieve fair and equitable treatment for all government retirees with regard to the taxation of hard-earned retirement benefits. In 1999, the North Carolina Supreme Court decided that federal, state and local government retiree pension income must be taxed in the same manner — and that all those retirees who were vested in a qualifying retirement system by August 12, 1989 would not be taxed on their retirement benefits. The 4th Branch believes this is unfair. The service of all military and government retirees should be honored equally, without taxation on benefits — regardless of when you retire or are vested. And while much of The 4th Branch outreach has been targeted to retirees, it should matter to current state

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THE REPORTER • April 2018

help level the playing field and protect the retirement benefits of current and future state government retirees, The 4th Branch needs to expand its network. By joining The 4th Branch, you will receive alerts on critical legislation, stay informed, and have the option to weigh in with legislators and help affect change. Joining is free and The 4th Branch will never share your email address.

DON’T WAIT FOR RETIREMENT! If you are still actively working in state government, your hard-earned, future retirement benefits will be subject to taxation — unless you are part of the movement to change that. Now is the time to consider the future and join the retired individuals and other current government employees already fighting for equity in North Carolina’s tax policy. To join, visit http://4thbranchnc.org/action-center/ and complete the “Quick Sign Up” form in the Advocacy Center.

State Health Plan hosts pre-retirement workshops The State Health Plan (SHP) is hosting Pre-65/Pre-Retirement workshops through July for SHP retirees who will be turning 65 during the next 24 months as well as those who are 65 or older and actively working (and perhaps thinking about retirement). Members can register online at https://shp.nctreasurer.com/AboutSHP/ connect/Pages/Upcoming-Events.aspx or by phone at 919-814-4400. Webinars will also be offered for those who are unable to attend one of the sessions in their area. The webinars started at the end of January and will be available through August. You can see the dates and times for the webinars at the website as well.

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THE REPORTER • April 2018

MEMBERS IN ACTION

MEMBERS IN ACTION MURDOCH

THE REPORTER • April 2018

JOHNNY DAVISON

District 21 members and SEANC hosted a Murdoch employee appreciation day in Butner on Jan. 25. More than100 employees joined SEANC as a result of the event.

Member Relations Representative C.J. Stephens (far right) points out the benefits of being a member of SEANC.

Director of Government Relations Ardis Watkins (left) explains legislative updates to an employee.

SEANC sponsored a food truck that served over 500 people that day.

Member Relations Representative Johnny Davison (right) assists an employee in completing the membership application.

The Reporter, USPS 009-852 (ISSN 1069 2142), is published six times a year in the months of February, April, May, 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

District 64 donated $50 Visa gift cards to five women from the Center for Family Violence Prevention to help them buy their children Christmas gifts. District 64 Chairwoman Latina Shelley (right) presented the cards to the center's director, Diana Cooper-Mann (left).

SEANC Executive Director Robert Broome answers questions about pertinent SEANC issues from Districts 5, 6 and 7 members during a meet and greet in Morganton on March 1.

BETH DEW

District 3 member Doris Greer, District 3 Chairman Wayne Holliday and District 3 member Janice Smith dropped into some agencies on Feb. 9 in Watauga Couty and passed out goodie bags to show their appreciation for the employees.

Rep. Kevin Corbin (R-Macon) and his wife, Beth, attended the District 1 meeting at Southwestern Community College in Franklin.

SARA COWELL COBURN

District 3 member Anne Castro and Statewide Membership Chairman and Western Regional Representative Cliff Johnson stopped by agencies in Mitchell County on Feb. 6 to hand out candy bags and to say thank you for their service to the state.

JOHNNY DAVISON

SUBMITTED BY JOHNNY DAVISON JOHNNY DAVISON

Advertising Policy

JOHNNY DAVISON

Jonathan Owens, Editor-In-Chief Beth Dew, Managing Editor Amanda Wise, Associate Editor Sara Cowell Coburn, Associate Editor

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.

Director of Member Services Brenda Hooker, District 21 Chairwoman Virginia Lindsey and District 21 member Kathy Floyd welcome folks at the registration table.

District 17 Chairman Kemrey Lamar and Member Relations Representative Gloria Evans spoke with a District 17 member during the Guilford County Courthouse event on Jan. 25.

REPORTER

State Employees Association of North Carolina 1621 Midtown Place • Raleigh, NC 27609 Telephone 919-833-6436, 800-222-2758 www.seanc.org

Thank you for allowing SEANC to show our appreciation for the hard working employees at your facility!

SUBMITTED BY BONITA HENDERSON

THE

SEANC District 65 hosted a Valentine's Day Breakfast Bash on Feb. 13 at the East Carolina University Heart Institute for ECU employees. A breakfast of assorted bagels and cream cheese with coffee were served. Two employees joined SEANC during this event.

D E VE LOPME N TAL CE N TE R

PHOTOS BY SARA COWELL COBURN

SUBMITTED BY ALTHEA JONES

At right, District 59 hosted a Christmas brunch for the seniors at Poplar Street Apartments on Dec 7. Pictured from left to right are District 59 members Maxine Rouse, Willam Berry, District 59 Chairwoman Kathy Merritt, members Althea Jones, Brenda Smith, Carolyn Sutton and Orie Henry Jr. In attendance but not pictured are Lorice Worrells and Dorothy Chapin.

SUBMITTED BY ALICIA SIMPSON

SUBMITTED BY ALTHEA JONES

At left, District 59 members Orie Henry Jr. and Lorice Worrells delivered Meals on Wheels in the Goldsboro area on Dec. 6. The district plans to deliver meals every first Wednesday of the month.

District 39 member Shoshana Serxner-Merchant, discusses the value of SEANC membership to officers at the North Carolina State University membership event on Feb. 21.

Governor's Highway Safety Program Director Mark Ezzell became a SEANC member during a Department of Transportation membership event in Garner on Feb. 26.

THE REPORTER • April 2018

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Scholarship Deadline is April 15 The deadline for applying for one of SEANC’s scholarships is fast approaching! Applications must be turned in 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 most valuable benefits for members. For more on the criteria, for an application, or to find your district scholarship chairperson, visit seanc.org/scholarship.

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THE REPORTER • April 2018

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