Reporter 2023 Vol. 41, Issue 3

THE REPORTER

Budget proposals fall short of tackling understaffing

The N.C. House passed its version of the state budget on April 6. It fails to make a meaningful investment in the workforce at a time when high vacancy rates are plaguing state government.

The House’s budget came roughly a month after Gov. Roy Cooper announced his own budget plan that also did little to address the understaffing concerns at state agencies.

The overall vacancy rate in state government is more than 23 percent. North Carolinians receive nearly 25 percent fewer state services because there’s less and less appeal to working in public service. The first-year employee turnover rate is 37 percent, and still, these proposals do not recognize the crisis at hand.

A budget that does not properly invest in public services sends the message that current employees’ hard work is not appreciated and does not help with recruiting new ones.

Executive Director Ardis Watkins drove home SEANC’s concerns with both proposals in numerous news articles and interviews.

“To give a raise that doesn't even match inflation is hardly something that shows them you want them to stay here,” Watkins told The News & Observer. “We can’t see how you can possibly put together a budget where retention and recruitment are so vital and not at least match the inflation rate.”

As the budget continues to move through the process, SEANC will continue to remind lawmakers that they are going to have to face the staffing crisis sooner or later. Next up is the Senate’s proposal. Legislative leaders have told SEANC they hope to have a budget in place before the July 1 start of the new fiscal year.

Gov. Roy Cooper's proposal:

• 5% raises in year one, 3% increases in year two for a total of 8%.

• 1.5% on top of that for employees in a step plan (Correctional Officers, Probation/Parole) and non-certified school personnel, for a total of 9.5%.

• $1,500 bonus for employees making less than $75,000 annually; $1,000 bonus for employees making greater than $75,000 annually

• Retirees would receive a recurring 2% COLA in year one plus a 2% bonus, then a 1% bonus in year two

• 3% for salary adjustment reserve.

N.C. House proposal:

• Pay raise of 4.25% in 2023 and 3.25% in 2024 for a total of 7.5%.

• Additional 1% raises for some employees from a labor market reserve.

• School bus drivers get an additional 2% on top of the 7.5%.

• State Highway Patrol raises of 11% over the two years.

• A 1% true COLA in each year for retirees for a total of 2%.

SEANC Board of Governors votes to begin disaffiliation from SEIU

The SEANC Board of Governors unanimously passed a resolution in February to begin the process of disaffiliating from the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

Recent SEIU activities that may harm SEANC’s mission prompted the vote.

In November 2022, for example, SEIU launched a new subsidiary called the Union of Southern Service Workers as part of its “Raise Up the South” movement, with North Carolina as its main target. The new organization holds a “by any means necessary” stance, implying strikes and walkouts, and it plans to “occupy” policymaker meetings. SEIU and its subsidiaries have also been actively supporting the work and efforts of UE150 — a union

that competes with SEANC for members.

In the Board’s view, and consistent with SEANC’s decades-long advocacy work, these kinds of tactics are unproductive. They will not help SEANC achieve its policy goals.

“We feel strongly that this is the right course of action to best serve our members’ interests,” stated SEANC President Martha Fowler. “While we wish SEIU and its subsidiaries success in advocating for workers, they are engaging in tactics that are contrary to the practices that have made SEANC a successful force in North Carolina politics for the last 75 years.”

“This is not a decision that we made lightly,” Fowler added. “But their

aggressive tactics will not serve our members well when we lobby for pay raises, affordable health care, retirement security, and better working conditions — no matter which party is in charge. SEANC is the strongest voice for state employees and retirees at the legislature because of the manner in which we advocate and the reputation we have earned.”

Even though the Board of Governors vote was unanimous, SEANC is first and foremost a member-led organization, and members will have the final say in this decision. The matter will be taken up at the 2023 SEANC Convention in September, where delegates will decide the fate of SEANC’s affiliation with SEIU.

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ADVERTISING

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.

Longtime SEANC member and retiree advocate Barbara Pace of District 16 was presented with the 2022 Bob Hopper Award for her dedication to retiree issues during the February Retiree Council Meeting. The award is named after the longtime Retiree Council Chairman and SEANC member/ staffer Bob Hopper, who passed away in 2017.

Get the answers you need about your membership, your job, your district, and more — attend your district’s annual meeting!

SEANC’s statewide officers and senior staff representatives will provide updates on the legislative session, retirement, SEANC insurance products and discounts. In addition, convention delegates and district officers are chosen, and policy platform objectives and bylaws amendments originate during district meetings. Mark your calendar to attend!

EMPAC Launches Million Dollar Mission

The state EMPAC committee approved a plan in March to fulfill EMPAC’s Million Dollar Mission to raise one million dollars from EMPAC investors for every two-year election cycle.

Why contribute to EMPAC?

As a state employee, your job is political. Fair or not — your pay, benefits, and way of life depend on politicians. If you are a retiree, your pension and health care depend on politicians. One way you can improve your future is to become politically active and invest in EMPAC.

When you contribute, you can help elect supportive public officials. With a more employee-friendly legislature, we are more likely to achieve the

goals that matter to you: pay, health, retirement, and your workplace rights.

EMPAC’s strong reputation for true bipartisan endorsements and commitment to our issues led to EMPAC topping the 2018 list of Longleaf Politics 16 endorsements that matter in North Carolinia politics. In 2020, NC Free (a non-partisan political think tank) rated EMPAC as the second largest state political action committee in North Carolina. With your help, we could become number one!

To reach EMPAC’s Million Dollar Mission, we need your help. If you are not currently an EMPAC investor, join our fight. If you are already an EMPAC investor, thank you. Consider

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New EMPAC investors who give $5 per month or more will receive a bronze EMPAC investor lapel pin and be entered into a drawing for one of three VISA gift cards: $500, $250, or $150.

Current EMPAC investors who increase their contributions will be entered into a separate drawing for one of three VISA gift cards: $500, $250, or $150. INVEST

NC Dept. of Adult Correction Secretary Todd Ishee invited SEANC Executive Director Ardis Watkins to speak during the State Warden's Meeting in March. Watkins also met with leaders like Warren Correctional Institute Warden Shanticia Hawkins and Interim Central Region Director Herachio

Past President Wayne Fish (District 2) and Conell Chapman (District 45) recently received awards from the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers. Fish works at Craggy Correctional in Asheville and Chapman works at Central Prison in Raleigh.

LEADERS IN ACTION

SEANC held a membership event at the NC Public Schools office in Raleigh on Jan. 19. Pictured are Superintendent Catherine Truitt and SEANC Treasurer Emily Jones.

On March 29, Executive Director Ardis Watkins spoke with State Lab employees, DHHS Secretary Kody Kinsley and Deputy Sec. Mark Benton, and took part in an interview with ABC11 WTVD on the issue of understaffing throughout state government.

SEANC sponsored an Employee Appreciation on Feb. 27 at Governor Morehead School and Director Melvin Diggs became a SEANC member!

primary sponsorship of the 2022 UNC Chancellors Cup golf tournament.

Haywood.

Executive Director Ardis Watkins met with Congresswoman Kathy Manning during the Labor Roundtable in Colfax on Feb. 15.

UNC Staff Assembly Chair Crystal Woods presented President Martha Fowler during the February Board of Governor's meeting with a plaque recognizing SEANC's

SEANC past presidents met March 24 to discuss important issues from the February Board of Governors' meeting.

Executive Director Ardis Watkins recruited Commissioner Wayne Goodwin during an employee appreciation event at the Department of Motor Vehicles.

District 2 members sponsored a UNC-Asheville Staff Appreciation lunch on April 12. Pictured above SEANC's Executive Director Ardis Watkins (far left), Western Region Representative Cliff Johnson (center), and Education Committee Chair Mark Dearmon (far right) met with Staff Council members.

SEANC Treasurer Emily Jones represented SEANC during the Department of Adult Correction’s Re-Entry Conference in Charlotte.

MEMBERS IN ACTION

District 4 members sponsored several Employee Appreciation Events during the winter months. Pictured left: Clerk of Superior Court for Rutherford County Steve H. Owens joins SEANC. Pictured in the middle: District 4 member Tim Southhard recruits a Polk County Clerk of Court employee. Pictured right: a

District 58 showed appreciation to the SEANC members at DART Cherry in Goldsboro March 15-16. Pictured center is Past President and District 58 Chair Chuck Stone.

SEANC was one of the sponsors for the NC Juvenile Services Association’s Spring Conference in March.

District 37 provided an employee appreciation lunch at the NC Department of Transportation office in Garner on March 21.

District 21 financially assisted with caps, gowns, and graduation fees for nine high schools. Pictured above left: District 21 member Clarentha Woody, Warren High School representative Pamela Jordan, and District 21 member Mary Tilley. Inset picture: Bunn High School Representative Phyllis Mills.

SEANC Member Relations Representative Luke Turner, Western Region Representative Cliff Johnson, District 9 Chairman Jamie Robinson, and District 9 member Amy Robinson signed up more than 25 new members in March at Alexander Correctional!

Pictured left: Stokes County Courthouse employees Michelle Edsel, Brad Langford, and Jennifer Langua listen to information provided by SEANC representatives and District 16 members on Feb. 1. Pictured right: Stokes office employee Kimberly Thomas joins SEANC.

STEVE LAWSON

District 64 provided lunch for Pitt Community College employees on Feb. 16.

District 65 held their Heart to Heart Membership Blitz at ECU Heart Institute on Feb. 13. The first 50 SEANC members received a complimentary lunch.

District 43 representatives met with staff from the Department of Motor Vehicles headquarters in Rocky Mount on Feb. 9.

District 44 representatives recruited new members at State Motor Fleet.

District 67 provided breakfast for employees at the NC Works Career Center in New Bern on Jan 30.

District 42 sponsored an Employee Appreciation Day in February at the Division of Employment Security in Raleigh. Past President Shirley Bell helped recruit seven new members!

District 22 provided lunch for Harnett County Courthouse employees on March 16.

Buncombe County Courthouse employee joins SEANC.

SUBMITTED BY MARY TILLEY

Wake County Blitz * March 27-31

SEANC’s Member Relations team and volunteers were out in full force March 27-31 in Wake County, holding appreciation events at Bicentennial Mall, DHHS State Lab, Central Prison, DOT Highway Building, Department of Adult Correction office, Archdale Building DPS offices, NC Correctional Institute for Women, and others. More than 50 new members joined! Thanks to everyone who helped out and everyone we visited during the week.

Bicentennial Mall

Department of Public Safety Archdale Building

Department of Adult Correction office

District 3 representatives attended Appalachian State University Staff Appreciation Day (left photo) and also represented SEANC at a Mayland Community College in Mitchell County (right photo) in April.

District 57 provided lunch on March 22 for employees of the Department of Revenue and NC Works offices in Rocky Mount.

District 17 sponsored two days of appreciation events in April at Caswell Correctional and Dan River Work Farm.

State Lab

Department of Transportation Highway Building