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.” your former state agency!

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.

You were experts in your fields and have great contacts in your former workplaces. Now’s the time to use your talents and expertise to arrange and hold an event, and during the event, recruit new members!

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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