December 2017 Scoop by SEANC

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Friday, December 1, 2017

Prison staff safety remains in spotlight This week the dangerous conditions for workers in our prisons remained in focus, as The Charlotte Observer interviewed a former correctional officer on the dangers of faulty equipment. While working at Polk Correctional, Sierra Gravitte said she found herself alone in a locked unit with seven inmates and was unable to call for help because of a faulty radio. The need for better equipment is one of many changes that need to be addressed by the state as soon as possible. One legislator, Rep. Bob Steinburg (R-Chowan) has already vowed he is “not going to let this go,” adding that “there’s an absolute crisis in our system.” SEANC continues to work with legislative leaders and administrative officials to ensure better policies and resources help our prison staff return home safely each day.

Folwell continues to cut fees despite

critics State Treasurer Dale Folwellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quest to cut fees paid to Wall Street from investments of the state retirement system has drawn attention from both the media and his critics. The EMPAC-endorsed Folwell has stayed committed to that pursuit, though, as evident in this interview with WRAL-TV. Even though the plan is one of the best in the nation, Folwell said more work has to be done. He has already lived up to his campaign promise to cutting $100 million in fees in his first year, and hopes to cut at least $500 million more. SEANC Government Relations Director Ardis Watkins also spoke in favor of cutting fees in the story, saying, "The only thing that solves problems is to stop giving huge amounts of money away in multiple levels of fees to investment managers."

Auto/Home Insurance

Start a New Family Tradition this Holiday Season Carowinds will come alive with holiday spirit during the seasonal event. Festive food and drink, holiday shopping and heart-warming shows make the spirit of Christmas come alive. Enjoy the magical transformation as you step into a winter wonderland full of enchantment, cheer and classic family fun. Contact Phyllis Perry at the SEANC Office 919-833-6436 for more details on discounted tickets.

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Friday, December 8, 2017

Mission, BCBSNC agree on new contract Mission Health and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) reached an agreement this week in a months-long contract dispute that had inconvenienced many in the western part of the state. Since Oct. 5, when Mission terminated its contract with BCBSNC, all Mission facilities have been “out-of-network” for BCBSNC patients, including state employees and retirees covered by the State Health Plan.

The new agreement means state employees and retirees can once again use Mission hospitals at “in-network” rates beginning on Dec. 15. Terms of the new contract were not available. "Both parties are pleased to reach agreement on the mutual goal of ensuring that the people of Western North Carolina receive the affordable, quality health care that they need," the two sides said in a joint statement to the Asheville Citizen-Times.

Inmates face the death penalty Prosecutors in Pasquotank County announced Wednesday that they will seek the death penalty for the four inmates accused of murdering four state employees at a prison break attempt at Pasquotank Correctional in October. Meanwhile this week, new details emerged from the incident in April where an inmate at Bertie Correctional murdered a correctional officer, Sgt. Meggan Callahan. Because of staff shortages at Bertie, Callahan only had four of her staff on duty that day. At the time of the attack, she and one other officer (who had been on the job less than a year) were tasked with securing 250 inmates. A co-worker told the Charlotte Observer that Callahan confided in him just hours before the attack that “She didn’t know which (of her co-workers) would have her back because they were new and they were not properly trained.” As the story goes on to report, there are many factors that have contributed to the understaffing problems at our prisons that put state employees in harm’s way. Many prisons are built in rural areas where it’s hard to recruit employees. The state pays officers in maximum-security prisons about $8,000 less than the national average. All of this makes it harder to recruit and retain staff members, which makes prisons more dangerous.

Correctional staff, help us help you SEANC continues to work with legislative leaders and Cooper Administration officials to address understaffing, low pay and many other concerns surrounding correctional employment. Officers must be given the policies and resources to be successful. Correctional officers and prison staff, leaders need to hear from you. You are the ones who know what needs to change. If you have ideas for how to improve our prisons, please click below and let us know. You can include as little or as much information about yourself as you like. We hope to compile these suggestions to present real solutions to tackle these issues to lawmakers. Share your story

Hyatt Legal Plans

The SEANC legal plan helps you resolve a wide range of legal issues. Now more than ever, a group legal plan delivers valuable assistance and is a useful, affordable resource to help you protect your rights, family and assets in these difficult times. You pay the monthly rate via convenient Alternative Pay Option, payroll or pension deduction. Contact SEANC at 1800-222-2758 and ask to speak with an Insurance Specialist for more information. Below is just an example of what SEANC’s Legal Plan can do for you!

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Wellness in the Winter

Sometimes being a couch potato is where you want to be, but don’t stay there too long! Here are a few tips to stay active, healthy and happy during the winter blues, compliments of Liberty Mutual.

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Friday, December 15, 2017

DPS takes steps to improve prison safety The state Department of Public Safety has listed more than a dozen steps it is taking to improve prison safety in the wake of the deadliest year in N.C. prison system history. The steps include: Frisking almost everyone who enters the prisons. Buying batons for officers in medium-security prisons. Currently, only maximumsecurity officers are issued batons, which can be used to subdue violent inmates. Upgrading security cameras in several prisons. Installing additional fencing around some prisons, so that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s harder for inmates to retrieve contraband that is thrown over fences. Creating a new security unit that will develop safety training and ensure regular safety audits at all prisons. The department also worked with Duke University on a full nationwide study of prison management, which you can read here. The study recommended increased hiring and

extended training for new hires, and an outside agency review of officer salaries, among many other recommendations. SEANC continues to work with legislative leaders and Cooper Administration officials to address understaffing, low pay and many other concerns surrounding correctional employment. Officers must be given the policies and resources to be successful. Correctional officers and prison staff, leaders need to hear from you! You know what needs to change. If you have ideas for how to improve our prisons, please click below and let us know. You can include as little or as much information about yourself as you like. President Stanley Drewery has set up a committee of SEANC members who work in corrections to compile these suggestions and present real solutions to tackle these issues to lawmakers. Any suggestion, big or small, may save a life. Please click below to share your thoughts. Share your story

Bah Humbug! No bonuses this year, as usual The News & Observer reported this week what state employees and retirees already knew – there will be no Christmas bonus for state and local employees this year. In fact, it’s unclear if state employees have EVER received a true Christmas bonus. In 2015, the state budget was completed so late in the year that the $750 bonus it gave to state employees was paid in the December paycheck, leading some to call it a Christmas bonus. But it wasn’t given in the “true spirit of the holidays.” In December 2016, SEANC worked with Rep. Jonathan Jordan (R-Ashe) to introduce a bill for a $1,000 Christmas bonus, given that the state’s leadership was touting huge revenue surpluses. Sadly, legislators had other priorities.

More state, local workers side with SEANC In the last month, SEANC has welcomed 209 new members who chose to stand with their coworkers in support of public services! These members come from the departments of Administration, Health and Human Services, Justice, Public Safety and Transportation, the Administrative Offices of the Courts, Local Government, East Carolina University, N.C. A&T State University, N.C. State University, UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC-Pembroke, UNC-

Wilmington, UNC Hospitals, Mitchell Community College, Vance-Granville Community College and schools in Burke, Durham, Granville, Lenoir, Pitt, Robeson, Union and Wake counties. SEANCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s member relations team is ready to come to your worksite to give a presentation on our many benefits and recruit new members! Simply fill out this form if you would like for us to come to your office or worksite. Request a visit

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Save with SEANC Discounts For a limited time, enjoy exclusive offers through our TicketMonster Perks Program. Click on the link below or go online to www.seanc.org/discounts for more information. TicketMonster Perks is the go-to place for discounts on events, shows and more!

Keep your Pets Safe this Holiday Season

Give yourself the gift of not having to spend the holidays at the vet's office: While stringing up decorative lights, take extra care to keep your pet safe from accidental electrocution. Decoration Danger Light displays are pretty and festive, but the electrocution risk they pose to pets isn't. Chomping down on a cord can cause electric shock and tongue lacerations. Evade an electrocution emergency Keep all cords out of pets' reach (added bonus: Not only will it minimize the risk of injury, it'll also keep your decorations from being knocked over by curious paws and wagging tails). Use grounded, three-prong extension cords, and regularly check all cords in your home for signs of fraying or chewing.

Protect your pet and your pocketbook The average cost to treat electric shock is $472,* but NationwideÂŽ pet insurance covers accidental injuries like this and more. Get a no-obligation quote at PetsNationwide.com.

Get a quote here *2016 Nationwide claims data. Underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company (CA), Brea, CA, an A.M. Best A+ rated company (2016); National Casualty Company (all other states), Columbus, OH, an A.M. Best A+ rated company (2016). Agency of Record: DVM Insurance Agency. Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle, and Nationwide is on your side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. ÂŠ2017 Nationwide. 17GRP5253

Purchasing Power Savings Take advantage of this limited offer through Purchasing Power! Hurry, because this offer expires on Dec. 17.

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All orders are subject to a minimum order amount, which will not exceed $300. Promo code must be entered at time of checkout for discount to be applied. Only one promo code may be used per order. Promo code cannot be applied to previous purchases or combined with other offers. Offered discount applies to cost of products only, not applicable to warranty upgrades. Spend total is based on cost of products only, and does not include shipping, taxes, installation or other fees. Products and pricing are available while supplies last and are subject to change without notice, so go online for the latest offering. Individual eligibility requirements and spending limits may apply.

For best chance of delivery by Christmas using standard shipping, please place your order and turn in any required paperwork by December 16. For faster processing, you can now upload your documents electronically. Just click on the My Account page or download our app. Please be aware that large items that ship via freight, including large appliances, home fitness equipment and furniture take longer to ship and deliver. Please note, these items may not be delivered by Christmas Day. Christmas delivery is not guaranteed, even if you do order/turn in paperwork by 12/16/17.

To ensure delivery to your inbox, please add mail@purchasingpower2.messages4.com to your address book. This email was sent from an unmonitored mailbox. Please do not reply to this email. Contact Customer Service with any questions.

“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.

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Friday, December 22, 2017

Broome selected as SEANC's next Executive Director SEANC announced this week that Robert Broome has been selected to serve as its next Executive Director. Broome brings with him more than two decades of public affairs experience, including 15 years in government relations for trade associations. Most recently, he served as Director of Communications for the N.C. Department of Transportation before a brief stint as Interim Director of the Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Highway Safety Program. He will succeed Mitch Leonard, who is retiring after 41 years of service to the association. He has served as executive director for the last three years.

Broome will take over as executive director on Jan. 1, 2018.

More changes in SEANC executive leadership Along with a new executive director, SEANC has new statewide officers to start off the new year. Because of a vacancy at the First Vice Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s position, Jimmy Davis of District 4 has moved up from Second Vice President to assume that role for the remainder of the 2017-2018 term. Chevella Thomas of District 27 has moved from General Treasurer to Second Vice President, and Kirk Montgomery of District 25 has been appointed as General Treasurer. Jim Pressley of District 1 has been named as Bylaws Committee Chairman, and Betsey Lee Hodges of District 64 will serve as Chairwoman of the Policy Platform Committee.

Drewery to serve on DPS prison safety board SEANC President Stanley Drewery has been named to North Carolina Department of Public Safety's Prison Reform Advisory Board. This board will work with new Interim Prison Chief Judge Reuben Young to help make our prisons safe for workers. Drewery has also set up a committee of SEANC members who work in the prison system to recommend changes. If you have recommendations, you are encouraged to let us know by clicking below. Share your story

Merry Christmas from SEANC! All of us at the State Employees Association of North Carolina hope you have a safe and happy Christmas break! As you celebrate the holidays, please keep in mind the families and friends of the state employees we lost this year, particularly the corrections officers and staff members who died tragically in recent attacks by inmates at Bertie Correctional and Pasquotank Correctional. Also, keep in mind the many state employees who perform vital functions that do not allow them to take time off on Christmas. The SEANC office will be closed Dec. 25-27 in observance of the holiday.

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Keep your Pets Safe this Holiday Season

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