June 2020 Scoop by SEANC

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Friday, June 5, 2020

Win BIG with SEANC by recruiting new members in June! We have increased our new member/recruiter jackpots for June! Each new member who joins online will be entered into a drawing for $250, and each current member who recruits a new member will be entered into a drawing for $250 as well! Plus, EVERY MEMBER who recruits a new member will receive $20! And anyone who refers a possible new member to SEANC will receive $20 if that person joins. Simply send us contact information and we'll take care of the rest! There's strength in numbers, so point your recruits to SEANC.org to join today!

Click here to read flier

State Health Plan extends waivers on costs for COVID-19 testing, treatment to July 31 State Treasurer Dale R. Folwell, CPA, and the State Health Plan today announced that the Plan is extending the cost waiver for COVID-19 testing and treatment for members diagnosed with COVID-19, including associated deductibles, copayments and coinsurance, until July 31. Additionally, the Plan is also waiving the cost for the new drive-through COVID-19 testing at select North Carolina CVS Pharmacy locations. Members must register in advance to receive a test at CVS locations.

The SEANC Insurance Department is available to assist you Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 800-222-2758 or insurance@seanc.org.

Stay tuned to SEANC Social Media for updates

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Friday, June 12, 2020

State employees face furloughs, SEANC again fighting privatization As expected, state employees are the first to feel the impact of expected lost state revenues from the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. First, the Department of Transportation recently announced that its employees would be forced to take furloughs, blaming the crisis even though the state auditor uncovered years of mismanagement and overspending. To make matters worse, DOT workers are being furloughed while contract workers are still getting 40 hours a week or more. The department has not given any information on how much they pay contractors or how it compares to state employee pay, making it impossible to know if contract work is cost-efficient or unfair for state employees. On Thursday, East Carolina University became the first university system member to announce furloughs of their own. 110 employees who work in “auxiliary and receiptsupported enterprises” – jobs that are supported by people being on campus – will be furloughed up to 90 days. Interim Chancellor Ron Mitchelson told reporters that more furloughs are expected in the future. Privatization has already reared its ugly head as well. The Department of Public Safety contracted with a private security firm to provide armed security guards at Neuse Correctional in Goldsboro and Southern Correctional in Troy. The security guards will receive $29 per hour – which equates to more than 150% of a normal starting salary for a correctional officer. This reckless spending makes no sense other than allowing the corporation, P&G Security of Salisbury, to get the $1.4 million contract. The COVID-19 Recovery Act allowed this to occur, but a second bill awaiting the governor’s signature would allow it to continue through 2022. SEANC opposes privatization in any form. As is evident by the mismanagement and cost overruns at DOT, private contracts are a loser for the state and for taxpayers. We will continue to oppose DPS’s actions and all other attempts to sell off state government to the highest bidder.

Win $100 by joining or recruiting a new member this weekend! June is Online Recruiting Month at SEANC, and we are holding a Flash Contest this weekend! Everyone who joins online before noon on Monday will be entered into a drawing for $100, and anyone who recruits a new member will be entered into a separate drawing for $100! And remember, our other June incentives also apply. New members and recruiters will be entered into drawings for $250, and every member who recruits a new member will receive $20. And anyone who refers a possible new member to SEANC will receive $20 if that person joins. Simply send us contact information and we'll take care of the rest!

Click here to read flier

There's strength in numbers, so point your recruits to SEANC.org to join today!

SEANC signs recognize heroes on the job SEANC is proud of all the hard work our members have put in on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis, and want to spread the word! If you would like to put out a yard sign at your workplace, contact Member Relations Director Lynn Cote by email. Quantities are limited.

The SEANC Insurance Department is available to assist you Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 800-222-2758 or insurance@seanc.org.

Stay tuned to SEANC Social Media for updates

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Friday, June 19, 2020

Pay raise remains in place through revenue uncertainty The COVID-19 crisis has affected everyone. The General Assembly has been unable to address the continuation budget in the traditional manner because of the uncertainty of the revenue deficit the state is facing. It is estimated that the deficit may be as much as $4 billion. Appropriations have been handled issue by issue. The good news for state employees amidst all of the uncertainty is that the 2.5% pay increase for state employees that was included in last year’s mini-budget remains in place and will be effective July 1, 2020. Other bills we are watching: SEANC lobbyists are working on Senate Bill 408, which passed the Senate last session and provides for a 2% COLA for retirees. The bill has now moved through the House Rules Committee and is headed to the House Appropriations Committee for debate. It would require a $96 million appropriation, so it faces an uphill battle to make the House floor. House Bill 77 is headed for its final reading today and contains new oversight measures and restrictions on spending for the Department of Transportation. The Office of State Budget and Management and the Office of the State Treasurer will be included in budgeting and project management oversight. Senate Bill 808 has passed the Senate and is in House Appropriations Committee. The bill contains a provision requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to find a new location for headquarters to remain in Wake County. House Bill 1218 adjusts budget levels to continue fully funding the employer contribution to the pension fund.

United HealthCare suspends copays through September UnitedHealthCare announced this week that it would waive copays through September for customers including Medicare Advantage plan holders through the State Health Plan. The move is a response to decreased use of its plans as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

SEANC welcomes 100 new members Thank you to all of the recruiters who help grow our membership during these difficult times. June is Online Recruiting Month at SEANC, and we are holding another Flash Contest again this weekend! Everyone who joins online before noon on Monday will be entered into a drawing for $100, and anyone who recruits a new member will be entered into a separate drawing for $100! And remember, our other June incentives also apply. New members and recruiters will be entered into drawings for $250, and every member who recruits a new member will receive $20. And anyone who refers a possible new member to SEANC will receive $20 if that person joins. Simply send us contact information and we'll take care of the rest!

Click here to read flier

There's strength in numbers, so point your recruits to SEANC.org to join today! If you would like us to show up to your worksite to bring some much-deserved appreciation to your workplace, contact the Member Relations Department.

Theme park tickets update As with many other businesses during COVID-19, theme parks have been affected. SEANC has been tracking the activity for the 2020 Season. We understand that some of the parks have opened with restrictions, but not all parks have opened to date. Currently, we are not selling tickets through the State Employees Credit Union, due to the uncertainty we all are experiencing. We will continue to monitor the situation and we will provide an update, as soon as we receive more information. Thank you for your continued support and please stay safe.

SEANC signs recognize our heroes

SEANC is proud of all the hard work our members have put in on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis, and want to spread the word! If you would like to put out a sign at your workplace, contact Member Relations Director Lynn Cote by email. Quantities are limited.

Term vs Whole Life Insurance

Compare Rates The SEANC Insurance Department is available to assist you Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 800-222-2758 or insurance@seanc.org.

SEANC Awards cancelled for 2020 Due to COVID-19 and the cancellation of the 2020 SEANC Convention, the state awards will not be presented this year. President Davis is asking that the current state chairs and the members of each committee continue serving for the 2020-21 year.

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Friday, June 26, 2020

Legislative session ends amid lingering uncertainty The General Assembly finally adjourned at around 2:30 a.m. this morning – sort of. The adjournment resolution is effective July 7, and the House and Senate will hold skeletal sessions until then. Legislators will return for a new session on Sept. 2. This was a short session unlike any other in recent memory. Most importantly for state employees and retirees was the lack of a traditional budget process due to uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and the expected loss of revenue. Legislators addressed some areas through mini-budget bills but did not make major changes with a projected shortfall of $4 billion looming. The good news for most state employees is that meant the 2.5% pay increase agreed upon last year remained intact. Those who work in departments and agencies will receive an increase on July 1. SEANC attempted to get increases for university and community college employees, as well as non-certified school personnel, but legislators were unwilling to commit to any new spending. Last year, Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed bills that would have given higher education employees raises, claiming those raises weren’t large enough. And yet, this year Cooper did not come up with a budget proposal of his own and did not call for a raise for these employees. Likewise, an attempt to pass a bill for a 2% cost-of-living adjustment for retirees died in committee because it required a $96 million appropriation. A bill to fully fund the retirement system did pass. Other items of note: H1074 allowed for an employee who was classified as part-time but actually worked full-time hours to buy service credit in the retirement system. The bill wasn’t heard in the Senate and died as of adjournment. S635 contains language for a pilot project of updated technology in prisons. This technology would improve the way Correctional staff track behavior and activity. There is also a contact tracing component which would be helpful in keeping track of Covid19 outbreaks in prison facilities. This bill passed and awaits the governor’s signature. H1218 adjusted the funding levels for the retirement system to remain fully funded by the General Assembly. This bill passed and awaits the governor’s signature. H308 contained an extension on return to work for retirees in positions where there is an emergency need for experienced workers due to the pandemic. The six-month break in service requirement has been temporarily suspended. This bill passed and awaits the governor’s signature. S818 provides a one-time $350 bonus for teachers and has language that encourages Gov. Cooper to use some of his Covid19 federal funds to provide an extra $600. The $600 would include non-certified school employees. The bill is on the Governor’s desk awaiting his signature.

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Recruit now to win big with SEANC This is the last weekend to recruit a new member and win big! For the month of June, each new member who joins online will be entered into a drawing for $250, and each current member who recruits a new member will be entered into a drawing for $250 as well! Plus, EVERY MEMBER who recruits a new member will receive $20! And anyone who refers a possible new member to SEANC will receive $20 if that person joins. Simply send us contact information and we'll take care of the rest! Click here to read flier There's strength in numbers, so point your recruits to SEANC.org to join today!

Be prepared for life's planned and unplanned events with MetLife Legal plan for $12.95/month

More Info The SEANC Insurance Department is available to assist you Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 800-222-2758 or insurance@seanc.org.

Stay tuned to SEANC Social Media for updates

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