July Reporter 2021 by SEANC

July 2021 • Vol. 39, Issue 5

THE

REPORTER

State Employees Association of North Carolina

Senate budget inadequate for employees, retirees The N.C. Senate passed a low-ball budget proposal on June 25 that included meager raises for most state employees and no increase for retirees. In addition to the pay changes exhibited in the table to the right, the Senate’s plan also called for the creation of a Department of Adult Correction to separate prison operations into its own cabinet level agency. It’s important to note that the Senate proposal is one step in the budget process. The House will release its own proposal in the coming weeks, then the two chambers will negotiate a compromise through a conference committee. The budget process is likely to last well past the July 1 start of the new fiscal biennium and through the summer, with some legislators signaling that compromise won’t be reached until August at the earliest. SEANC Executive Director Ardis Watkins expressed the association’s frustration with the Senate’s budget in a statement when it was released. “There is no excuse to be stingy this

N.C. Senate Proposal

Gov. Cooper’s Proposal

• 3% pay raises over two years for most state employees, teachers, UNC and Community College staff • 7% average pay increase for corrections officers and a new salary schedule • $13/hour minimum wage for non-certified public school and Comm. College employees • Employees earning less than $75,000 annually and all law enforcement, correctional officers and staff, and employees at 24-hour facilities receive a $1,500 bonus • Employees earning more than $75,000 annually receive a $1,000 bonus • No cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) or bonus for retirees

Most state employees • 5% pay raise over two years • $1,000 bonus in each of the next two years UNC, Community College, and non-certified school personnel • 7.5% pay raise over two years • $4,000 bonus over two years • Minimum $15 wage for non-certified school personnel Teachers • more than 10% pay raise over two years • $4,000 in bonuses over two years Retirees • 2% COLA • 2% bonus in EACH of the next two years

year,” Watkins said. “SEANC is totally perplexed why the Senate proposed insignificant raises and shutting out retirees when the State is drowning in money. If ever there was a time to give significant raises, this is the year.” “That said, we applaud the equitable treatment of state employees and teachers

and a higher minimum wage for school employees as those are important principles SEANC has fought hard for and are happy to see included,” she added. “As the budget process continues, SEANC will fight to see suitable raises for the dedicated public servants and retirees who serve the people of our state.”

‘Hybrid’ SEANC Convention to be held in person, virtually The SEANC Board of Governors voted at its May 22 meeting to hold an inperson convention this year, with access to an online version for those delegates who wish not to attend. The event will be held at the Sheraton Koury Convention Center in Greensboro. It is scheduled for Sept. 8-11, 2021.

Delegates need to choose whether or not they will attend the convention in person by July 24, when districts must submit this information to the SEANC Central Office. Delegates will not be permitted to attend both in-person and online. All items on the agenda requiring

votes will take place on Friday, Sept. 10. Delegates who attend virtually will only attend Friday’s session. Online attendees will be able to vote in election and on other important matters that arise. The theme of this year’s convention will be “Driven to Succeed.”

2021 DISCOUNT THEME PARK TICKETS Tickets can be purchased at SEANC.org/themeparks

PUBLIC POLICY SEANC fights off second attempt to publicize disciplinary actions A once-dead attempt by the state’s media outlets to open disciplinary information in state employee personnel files to unnecessary public scrutiny resurfaced in June, only to fail again to gain support needed to advance. The press association failed in its first attempt to pass harmful language when Senate Bill 355 did not meet the crossover deadline. However, House Bill 64, a bill that was originally filed to add members to the NC Works Commission, was gutted and its language replaced with parts of Senate Bill 355. The new version of House Bill 64 would have allowed ANYONE access to the most damaging part of an employee’s personnel file, specifically any comments from supervisors about disciplinary actions. It put the burden on the employee to fight against unfounded allegations which require legal resources, money and the wherewithal to get through the process. SEANC battled in the Senate Judiciary and Senate Rules committees to stop the bill, but the full Senate passed it, mostly along party lines. Since it had already passed the House in its original form, it needed just a concurrence vote to be sent to Gov. Roy Cooper for his signature. SEANC members and lobbyists mobilized to tell House members to vote not to concur, and they listened. After the bill reached the House floor on June 16, the House voted unanimously NOT to concur and the bill failed. SEANC will continue to monitor bills throughout the session for this harmful language, and will once again call on members should it pop up again.

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 2021 SEANC. All rights reserved.

THE REPORTER • July 2021

Effort to cut UNC employee pay thwarted An effort by UNC System officials to gain the authority to cut their employees’ pay died with little fanfare in late June thanks to SEANC’s lobbying team. House Bill 243, a bill touted as an effort to help the UNC System cope with the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, contained language that would have allowed the UNC system to cut some employee salaries by up to 10%. The bill passed both the House and Senate, but because the versions passed contained differences, it was sent to conference. With no action for weeks thanks to the lobbying efforts of SEANC, the harmful language to cut university employees’ pay was removed when the bill was added to House Bill 602. SEANC did not object to other provisions in House Bill 243 that addressed the early retirement incentive program, payment of the State Health Plan premiums for temporarily furloughed employees and one-time amendments to the General Fund. These parts were included in House Bill 602, which passed both the House and Senate. 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.

RETIREE FOCUS Generous donations from District 61, others establish scholarship program for retirees’ grandchildren Grandchildren of retired members will receive much-needed help on achieving their college dreams thanks to a generous $5,000 donation from District 61 and contributions from other districts. The program offers an incentive for retirees who may have grandchildren who are in college. In addition, Districts 38 and 44 each contributed $1,000 to the program, and Districts 2, 27, and 58 also contributed. The awards will be given alongside SEANC’s annual scholarship process, which begins in January each year. This year’s winners will be announced in the September issue of The Reporter.

SEANC Executive Director Ardis Watkins (third from right) accepted a check for $5,000 from District 61 Chairwoman Cindy Hester at the district’s annual meeting on June 11 to establish a program to present scholarships to grandchildren of retired members.

2021 RETIREE PAY DATES

Date retirement payment is issued.

(Date payment is direct deposited or date a check is mailed).

July 23 August 25

September 24 October 25

November 24 December 22

Doug Sutton

Insurance Services

Contact N.C. Retirement Systems at 877-627-3287 with address updates, questions about your retirement check or deductions.

Providing quality and affordable insurance to SEANC members for over 40 years.

RETIRING SOON?

We appreciate doing business with you!

Your SEANC benefits do not stop on the day you retire.

Please call us if we can be of service.

Contact the SEANC Office.

Contact Carri Derrick at the SEANC Office at 800-222-2758 or cderrick@seanc.org to update your membership.

919-836-9993 or Toll Free: 1-800-788-7771 dougsutton@dougsuttonins.com THE REPORTER • July 2021

MEMBERS IN ACTION ANC ON THE SE

ROAD May 5

Bicentennial Mall Event May 27

Liberty Mutual Rep. Markus Warwick and SEANC Emerging Leaders Council member William Puryear welcome new member Officer Larson from the State Capitol Police.

District 58 donated snacks, drinks, and juice to the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield and Kitty Askins Hospice in Goldsboro on May 4. Pictured are District 58 member Mickey Arthur (left), presenting items to SECU Hospice House staff member.

District 27 held an appreciation lunch for the Facilities Department at N.C. Central University on May 12. SEANC General Treasurer Chevella L. Thomas and SEANC Member Relations Rep. Celia Wilson enjoyed seeing everyone in person.

THE REPORTER • July 2021

Executive Director Ardis Watkins gives members a legislative update.

General Assembly legislative staff members enjoy their free lunch. There was a huge turnout at the Bicentennial Event!

PAM HAILEY

SEANC Director of Member Services CJ Stephens explains the benefits of SEANC membership.

SEANC Member Relations Specialist Tamara Bridges welcomes new member Rep. Terry Brown.

District 8 provided appreciation goody bags to the Wilkes Correctional staff on May 11. Pictured above are District 8 members Debbie Miller and Rocky Baldwin. Pictured at right, a staff member shows off her goody bag.

District 19 retirees gathered in Hillsborough on May 25 for their first in-person meeting since the pandemic began. Thanks to District 19 member Hazel Lunsford for hosting at her beautiful home.

JOHNNY DAVISON

Halifax Mall Event

MEMBERS IN ACTION N.C. Warden of the Year: Drew Stanley, 32-year member SEANC District 57 Chairman Drew Stanley has been named North Carolina Warden of the Year. “Drew Stanley has done amazing work over the past year and has truly earned this award,” said Todd Ishee, Commissioner of Prisons. “He has been visionary, precautionary and effective in keeping the health and safety of his staff and the men in his custody as his top priority.” A year ago, before any offenders in the prison system tested positive for the virus, Stanley reviewed all programs at the prison and instituted COVID-19 preparations. He streamlined the way offenders were housed and grouped them to protect their health and to better ensure continuity of operations at two Correction Enterprises operations at the prison in the event of an outbreak. He worked to ensure the virus would not impact the Field Ministry Program at the prison, in which 70 offenders work

toward a four-year Bachelor of Arts degree in pastoral ministry with training in counseling. Stanley found a way to live-stream classes while ensuring pandemic safety precautions in the classes. He instituted strict cleaning schedules in the offender housing units, created staff sign-in/sign-out logs for the housing units, and enacted additional rules to help prevent the virus from getting in or to contain it from spreading if it did get in to the male medium custody prison. While most other prisons combated viral outbreaks in their offender populations throughout 2020, some repeatedly, the first outbreak at Nash Correctional wasn’t until Jan. 9, 2021 – 10 months after the first prison outbreak. “Warden Stanley is highly regarded by his peers and serves as a wealth of knowledge for newly promoted wardens,” said Ishee. “He has proven to be a phenomenal warden and is a true asset to Prisons.”

Stanley began his career as a correctional officer at the former Polk Youth Institution in 1987. He has served in many roles during his career. In 2007, as assistant superintendent of programs at Nash Correctional, he inaugurated the facility’s therapeutic art program that has since grown into one of the largest in the state, with more than seven art classes for the offender population. In 2019, as warden of Nash Correctional, he worked to fill 45 vacant staff positions, dropping the number of vacancies to 28 in six months and then to six vacancies within the year. The prison continues to maintain a low staff vacancy rate. “I’m very honored to be a part of an elite group of individuals in the prison system,” Stanley said. “Fortunately, I still love what I do.” From the NCDPS

Cutest Pet Contest July 18 - Aug. 23, 2021

SEANC and Nationwide VPI Pet Insurance are holding a contest to see which SEANC member has the cutest pet!

Visit www.seanc.org/petphotocontest to register and submit your favorite photo before Aug. 23, 2021.

Best in Show wins $50 Dog Runners-up wins $25

Cat Runners-up wins $25

Other Animal Runners-up wins $25

Contest winners will be announced at the SEANC Annual Convention on Sept. 10, 2021. One entry per member, please. No professional photos. No purchase necessary.

THE REPORTER • July 2021

You’ve asked, it’s here!

New fixed-rate mortgage option!

STATE PERSONNEL CASES:

PROTECTING STATE EMPLOYEE RIGHTS Representing State Employees in Grievances, Court of Appeals, and NC Office of Administrative Hearings ■ 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. If you have a grievance, disciplinary appeal, or any state employment matter, call (919) 624-5171 or email me at jennifer@jenniferknoxlaw.com. NMLS #430055

The Law Office of Jennifer Knox

4600 Marriott Drive, Suite 200 ■ Raleigh, NC 27612 919-624-5171 ■ www.jenniferknoxlaw.com

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THE REPORTER • July 2021

Shop auto and home insurance with special savings..

As a SEANC member, you can compare auto, home* and renters insurance with special discounts and savings from up to three top insurance companies. Program benefits include:

Member discount

Payroll deduction discount

Multi-policy discount

24/7 claim filing

New car replacement**

Call the carriers for competitive quotes with a savings advantage for SEANC members.

888.695.4640

DISCOUNT CODE: 4110

800.438.6388

800.230.0827

DISCOUNT CODE: BMO

PIN 101391

*Homeowners insurance is not currently part of Travelers new business offering in Florida. *Home insurance is not part of MetLife Auto & Home’s benefit offering in Florida and Massachusetts. *Homeowners coverage in Florida for Liberty Mutual is very limited and several restrictions may apply. **For MetLife Auto & Home®, if you had a total loss with your brand new auto within the first year or 15,000 miles (whichever occurred first), MetLife Auto & Home would repair or replace it with a brand new auto and take no deduction for depreciation. This does not apply to a substitute auto, an auto you do not own, or a vehicle leased under a long-term contract of six months or more (subject to deductible). For Liberty Mutual, New Car Replacement coverage is subject to applicable deductible. Applies to total covered loss. Vehicle must be less than one year old, not previously owned, and have less than 15,000 miles. Not applicable to leased vehicles or motorcycles. Not available in NC or WY. Insurance is underwritten by The Travelers Indemnity Company or one of its property casualty affiliates, One Tower Square, Hartford, CT 06183. In CA: Insurance is underwritten by Travelers Commercial Insurance Company, One Tower Square, Hartford, CT 06183, Certificate of Authority # 6519, or Travelers Property Casualty Insurance Company, One Tower Square, Hartford, CT 06183, Certificate of Authority # 6521, State of Domicile: Connecticut. In FL: Homeowners insurance is not currently offered for new business. In TX: Auto insurance is offered by Travelers Texas MGA, Inc. and underwritten by Consumers County Mutual Insurance Company (CCM). CCM is not a Travelers company. Coverages, discounts, special program rates or savings, billing options, and other features are subject to availability and individual eligibility. Not all features available in all areas. © 2021 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries. MetLife Auto & Home is a brand of Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company and its affiliates: Economy Fire & Casualty Company, Economy Premier Assurance Company, Economy Preferred Insurance Company, Metropolitan Casualty Insurance Company, Metropolitan Direct Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Metropolitan General Insurance Company, Metropolitan Group Property and Casualty Insurance Company, and Metropolitan Lloyds Insurance Company of Texas, all with administrative home offices in Warwick, RI. Met P&C®, MetCasSM, and MetGenSM, are licensed in MN. Coverage, rates, discounts, and policy features vary by state and product, and are available in most states to those who qualify. Policies have exclusions, limitations, and terms under which the policy may be continued in force or discontinued. For costs and complete details of coverage, contact your local MetLife Auto & Home representative or the company. For certain insurance coverage, including MetLife Auto & Home insurance products, an employee does not enroll, but must apply. © 2021 MetLife Auto & Home. L1120009025[exp1123][All States][DC] Coverage provided and underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance or its subsidiaries or affiliates, 175 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116 USA. Discounts and savings are available where state laws and regulations allow, and may vary by state. To the extent permitted by law, applicants are individually underwritten; not all applicants may qualify. The program cannot guarantee coverage. A consumer report from a consumer reporting agency and/or motor vehicle report, on all drivers on your policy, may be obtained where state laws and regulations allow. In TX: Auto coverage provided by Liberty County Mutual Insurance Company and home insurance provided by one or more of the following companies: Liberty Insurance Corporation, Liberty Lloyds of Texas Insurance Company, and Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Company. © 2021 Liberty Mutual Insurance. This information has been solely written and provided by Travelers, MetLife Auto & Home, and Liberty Mutual. SEANC is not a sponsor of this Program and is in no way responsible for Travelers, MetLife Auto & Home, or Liberty Mutual or the insurance provided under this Program. Travelers, MetLife Auto & Home, and Liberty Mutual operate independently and are not responsible for each other’s financial obligations. All costs associated with marketing this Program are paid for by Travelers, MetLife Auto & Home, and Liberty Mutual. PL-18881 New 3-21

THE REPORTER • July 2021

Periodical Postage PAID Raleigh, NC 1621 Midtown Place Raleigh, NC 27609

TICKETS ONLY AVAILABLE ONLINE!

Visit your Exclusive Online SEANC Store! For Kings Dominion go to www.kingsdominion.com/save | username and password is: KDSEANC For Carowinds go to: www.carowinds.com/save | username and password is: CASEANC Imagery filmed prior to COVID-19