Spring 2022 • Volume 40, Issue 3
REPORTER
THE
TH
State Employees Association of North Carolina
SEANC presses retirement board for COLA from gains SEANC was the only group present at the Retirement Systems Board of Trustees meeting on April 29 advocating for a much-needed Cost-of-Living Adjustment for state retirees this year. Retirees have not had a true COLA since 2016. The system has made significant gains over the last few years with a booming economy and sound management. It’s time for the board to support a true, recurring increase for retirees. Government Relations Director Suzanne Beasley told the board, “Retirees have suffered long enough waiting out previous administrations’ investment decisions that did not have their best interests in mind. It is imperative that they receive a recurring COLA this year. We have one of the healthiest systems in the country and that needs
to be reflected in members’ benefits and you will not be able to sell it to them that a COLA is not possible because it is.” Beasley’s sentiments were echoed by Retirement Systems Trustee and SEANC District 38 Chairwoman Margaret Reader as well as State Human Resources Director Barbara Gibson. Reader, a retiree herself, said the board should reconsider its stance on the issue. “I encourage (the board) to think about all the years that retirees have done without a COLA,” Reader said. “It is within our authority that we can make it happen.” Gibson, a member of the board as well, said state government is seeing huge turnover right now. A COLA would be another way to make state
SEANC Government Relations Director Suzanne Beasley, District 38 Chairwoman Margaret Reader, and State Human Resources Director Barbara Gibson spoke at the Retirement Systems Board of Trustees meeting.
employment more desirable for current and future employees. “We should do anything we can possibly do to press for a COLA for retirees,” she said. “When the budget is bad people understand that that’s the way it is. But when things have been so good, people really don’t understand.”
Governor releases budget with additional raises, bonuses Gov. Roy Cooper released his budget proposal May 11 that includes another round of raises and bonuses for state employees. The details for state employees and retirees include:
• 2.5% recurring raise to be added to the 2.5%
scheduled to take place July 1 for a total of 5% this year for active state employees and non-certified school employees.
• 2% of payroll to state agencies in a special fund to recruit/retain difficult positions.
• Bonuses (given out in two installments) » $1,500 bonus to employees earning more than $75,000 » $2,000 bonus to employees earning less than $75,000 » $3,000 bonus to teachers. • In addition to the 3% one-time bonus already budgeted for retirees this year, the Governor proposes: » 1% recurring COLA » An additional 1% bonus.
“We are thankful to the Governor and his staff for prioritizing state employees and acknowledging retirees, but this proposal doesn’t go far enough. State government has prob-
lems that can’t be solved without a significant investment in its workers,” said Ardis Watkins, SEANC Executive Director. State government must recruit and retain employees to provide vital public services for taxpayers. This requires competitive salaries and incentives. There is currently a 20% vacancy rate across all state government. We have prisons with vacancy rates of 50% or more. This is a tremendous public safety risk. Retirees are also hurting. Inflation hits their pocketbook just like everyone else. In a year when the retirement system has produced gains, it is imperative that they receive a true, recurring cost-of-living adjustment. It’s important to remember that this is the first step in the budget process. The Governor’s proposal is just one of three expected proposals. The House and Senate will likely propose their own plans; then, a compromise plan will be created and sent to the governor for approval or veto. The whole process is expected to move quickly this year after the start of the Short Session later this month. We look forward to working with the General Assembly to increase these amounts and protect public services.
RETIREE FOCUS Folwell calls on Congress to allow possible recoupment of investment losses from Russia Earlier this year, N.C. State Treasurer Dale R. Folwell, CPA, requested the U.S. Congress to provide the tools for state pension funds to pursue economic damages through U.S. courts, which could lead to seizure of Russian assets and properties to recoup losses from Russian investments with the pension fund. He also urged the General Assembly to pass a resolution strongly condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin’s murderous military invasion of Ukraine. SEANC Retiree Council Chairman Benny Brigman released a statement on March 9, supporting Folwell’s stance. “There is a lot of talk of freezing Russian assets these days, but most pension plans for public employees actually have no idea how much their portfolios carry in Russian assets due to secrecy laws Benny Brigman protecting these investments from proper public scrutiny. Treasurer Retiree Council Chairman Folwell campaigned on greater transparency for the state pension fund and has taken aggressive action to bring transparency to the system. Today’s press release on Russia is yet another action by Treasurer Folwell to demand that taxpayers and retirees not be victims of randomly applied protections to investors in financial markets. SEANC members applaud him for protecting state employees and retirees’ livelihoods and we stand behind him in support of the Ukrainian people against an invasion of their country,” stated Brigman. Department of State Treasurer Lobbyist, Sam Watts, told the Retirement Systems Board of Trustees on April 29 that the pension system has enlisted the services of a prominent law firm with experience in Russian investments to help recoup some of the losses. He also noted that the investments total a small fraction (less than 1%) of the Pension Fund’s total assets.
Dale Folwell discusses his efforts to recoup pension fund's Russian investments SEANC Executive Director Ardis Watkins sat down with Folwell on March 14, for an exclusive interview on the matter. Watch the whole exchange in a video on our YouTube Channel (youtube.com/SEANCMedia).
RETIRING SOON? Contact the SEANC Office.
2022 RETIREE PAY DATES
Dates pension checks are direct deposited to your bank account or checks are mailed:
May 25 June 24
July 25 August 25
September 23 October 25
November 23 December 22
Contact N.C. Retirement Systems at 877-627-3287 with address updates, questions about your retirement check or deductions.
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 2022 SEANC. All rights reserved.
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THE REPORTER • Spring 2022
Your SEANC benefits do not stop on the day you retire. Contact Carri Derrick at the SEANC Office at 800-222-2758 or cderrick@seanc.org to update your membership.
The Reporter, USPS 009-852 (ISSN 1069 2142), is published four times a year in the months of November, February, May, and August 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.
ANNUAL MEETINGS Dist. Date
Time
Place
City
Dinner Contact Name
1 2 3
06/28/22 06/09/22 06/28/22
6:00pm 6:00pm 6:00pm
WCU Picnic Shelter Asiana Grand Buffett, 1986 Hendersonville Rd. Fairway Cafe - Boone Golf Course, 433 Fairway Dr
Cullowhee Asheville Boone
Yes Yes Yes
Mark Haskett Cliff Johnson Teresa Johnson
5 6 7 9 10 13 16 17 18 19 20
05/26/22 06/21/22 06/16/22 06/23/22 06/14/22 06/07/22 06/14/22 06/20/22 06/13/22 06/15/22 06/11/22
5-9pm 5:00pm 5:45pm 6:00pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 5:30pm 10:00am
WPC Learning Center, 1001 Burkemont Ave. Mountain View Recreation Center, 111 Alphabet Ln. Zoom NCDOT 2370 NC Hwy 90 Golden Corral, 1540 US 29 Hickory Tavern, 9010 Harris Corners Pkwy University of NC School of the Arts Performance Pl, 1533 S. Main St Kernodle Senior Center, 1535 S Mebane St Bojangles, 1706 E. Broad St. Orange Water and Sewer Authority, 400 Jones Ferry Rd. SureStay Plus Hotel, 1675 US1 South
Morganton Morganton N/A Taylorsville Concord Charlotte Winston Salem Burlington Rockingham Carrboro Southern Pines
Yes
Willard Jobe Sonya Akbar Henry Belada Jamie Robinson Marilyn Martin Linda Colbert Cynthia Joel Kemrey Lamarr Dewey Brower Angela Lyght Cliff Brown
21
06/16/22 06/24/22 05/25/22 06/14/22 07/08/22 07/07/22 06/21/22 07/12/22 06/13/22 06/21/22 06/09/22 06/13/22 06/16/22 06/14/22 06/24/22 06/10/22 06/16/22 06/24/22 06/20/22 05/31/22
6:00pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 6:00pm 5:30pm 6:00pm 6:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 5:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm 5:30-7:30pm 6:00pm 5:30pm 6:00pm 5:30pm 6:00pm 6:00pm 6:00pm
Union Baptist Fellowship Hall, East F Street Gregory Vineyards Lane Seafood & Steak, 275 Bowling Spring Dr.
Butner Angier Whiteville Lumberton Carrboro Butner N/A Creedmoor Raleigh Raleigh Raleigh Raleigh Raleigh Raleigh Raleigh Weldon Goldsboro Warsaw Castle Hayne Windsor
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 38 39 40 41 42 44 45 56 59 61 62 63
Dales Seafood, 107 S JK Powell Blvd. Golden Corral, 4928 Kahn Dr. OWASA Community Room, 400 Jones Ferry Rd. Granville Correctional, 1001 Veazey Rd. Zoom South Granville Public Library, 1550 S. Campus Dr. Captain Stanley's, 3333 S. Wilmington St. NCSU Club, 4200 Hillsborough Street SEANC Office Olive Garden, 4805 Capital Blvd SEANC Office SEANC Office Longhorn Steakhouse, 8121 Brier Creek Pkwy Ralph's Barbeque, 1400 Julia R Allsbrook Hwy Logan's Roadhouse, 1011 Sunburst Dr. Country Squire, 748 NC Hwy 24B/50 Riverside Park, Riverside Building, 6710 Bridge Site Rd. Heritage House Restaurant, 1303 S King St.
EMPAC endorses Beasley, Edwards for U.S. Congress EMPAC has endorsed Cheri Beasley for U.S. Senate. Beasley has been a member of SEANC since 2003. Through her work as a public defender, judge, and ultimately Cheri Beasley the first African American woman Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court, Beasley has proven at every step of her illustrious legal career that she will stand up for working families. “Cheri represents the very best of public service,” said Mark Dearmon, EMPAC Statewide Chairman. “She’s seen people at the lowest points in their lives and has shown the ability to protect justice while retaining commonsense empathy. Working people need a fighter like her in Washington.” “In a state where so many of our people lack affordable health care and good-paying jobs, SEANC plays a
critical role in advocating for state employees. As a former state employee myself, I am so grateful to have earned their endorsement,” said Cheri Beasley. “In the Senate, I look forward to working with SEANC to strengthen our economy, support workers, and expand access to affordable health coverage, among other priorities.” EMPAC also endorsed Sen. Chuck Edwards for the Republican nomination for North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District. “Through his three terms in the N.C. Senate, Edwards has always shown a willingness to work with SEANC members on issues important to state employees and retirees,” said Dearmon. “We are confident he will continue this concern for working Senator families in Congress.” Chuck Edwards
No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Virginia Lindsey Deborah Harney Jeremy Register Lennetta Singletary James Holman Phyllis Jones Janet Bunch Duboris Peterkin Margaret Reader Brian Swiger Roszena Lowe Stacie Crabtree Mamie Harris Wanda Pipkin John Williams Michael Johnson Kathy Merritt Cindy Hester Laura Overstreet Marion Drake
EMPAC 2022 Primary Endorsements
Bob Steinburg Senate District 1 Republican
Jim Burgin Senate District 12 Republican
Jay Chaudhuri Senate District 15 Democrat
Graig Meyer Senate District 23 Democrat
Shirley Randleman Senate District 36 Republican
Vickie Sawyer Senate District 37 Republican
Warren Daniel Senate District 46 Republican
Kevin Corbin Senate District 50 Republican
Donna McDowell White House District 26 Republican
Michael Wray House District 27 Democrat
Larry Strickland House District 28 Republican
Rosa Gill House District 33 Democrat
Joe John House District 40 Democrat
Pat Hurley House District 70 Republican
Mitchell Setzer House District 89 Republican
THE REPORTER • Spring 2022
3
REACHING FOR THE
NEXT GENERATION
Born and raised in Conway, District 40 member Tiffany Vaughan (38) was brought up to value faith and encouraged to set high goals and work hard to achieve them. Vaughan considers SEANC an integral part in attaining her personal and professional goals. Like Tiffany Vaughan other young professionals today, she values meaningful work that emphasizes social responsibility and provides access to networking and educational opportunities. SEANC offers all of that, she said. Vaughan’s strong work ethic and desire to help others are clear. While studying for her bachelor’s degree, she worked full-time and was actively involved in her community. During her time at East Carolina University, she worked at Domestic Victims Advocacy. Later, she worked in the District Attorney’s Office. There she witnessed how critical probation officers are in helping justice-involved individuals achieve personal and professional success. She was so struck by this experience that she changed her major to Criminal Justice. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, Vaughan began work as a Community Corrections Probation Parole Officer in 2010 and joined SEANC. However, at the time, she did not understand all that SEANC offers state employees and retirees. And so, she was not yet actively involved. About a year after earning her master’s degree in Criminal Justice, Vaughan was promoted to Chief Probation and Parole Officer in Pitt County.
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THE REPORTER • Spring 2022
In 2017, Vaughan transferred to NCDPS Division and Re-entry, Programs and Services and worked as the Community Development Specialist covering Division I of Community Corrections. Vaughan was promoted to her current position as Special Populations Administrator in 2019. It was during this time that she met SEANC District 40 member Roszena Lowe, who took a personal interest in Vaughan, inviting her to district meetings and answering her questions about SEANC — serving as a mentor. Vaughan is now very active within SEANC, serving as District 40 Membership Chair and as a statewide Emerging Leaders Council member. As Membership Chair, Vaughan’s goal is to get people more involved and re-engaged. “When you share your SEANC involvement and experiences with others, they become interested and begin asking more questions. I try to share the good things that SEANC has going on and encourage others to become members,” she said. She continued with examples, “SEANC provides awesome services and benefits Adopt-A-Highway that improve my livelihood. Recently, I used my SEANC vison plan to purchase prescription glasses and saved $700!” Vaughan credited her district in keeping her informed about things that are happening in the state legislature. She said, “Those things as a member, especially a young member, are very important because I want to know what’s going on. SEANC does a great job of that.” Vaughan participated in the Emerging Leaders Council’s Adopt-a-Highway community service project in April. In addition, she attended a three-day SEANC Leadership Training in March. Vaughan says, “I’ve been able to apply Leadership Training what I learned both professionally and personally. During the training, we discussed how to communicate with different people. I’ve learned how to structure my conversations to fit people with different personalities and have experienced more positive results!” Vaughan values the relationships she has developed in SEANC and considers SEANC to be “more than an association, it is a family because they care so much about each individual.” During Vaughan’s free time, she is involved in several small groups at her church, enjoys family gatherings such as riding four-wheelers on trails, long-distance running, water sports, and creating artwork with her Cricut machine for t-shirts and mugs. See more of our interview with Vaughan on our YouTube Channel (youtube.com/SEANCMedia).
Doug Sutton
Insurance Services Providing quality and affordable insurance to SEANC members for over 40 years.
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.
Please call us if we can be of service!
919-836-9993 or toll free:
800-788-7771 We appreciate doing business with you!
If you have a grievance, disciplinary appeal, or any state employment matter, call (919) 624-5171 or email me at jennifer@jenniferknoxlaw.com.
The Law Office of Jennifer Knox
4600 Marriott Drive, Suite 200 ■ Raleigh, NC 27612 919-624-5171 ■ www.jenniferknoxlaw.com
dougsutton@dougsuttonins.com
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Get started at SEANC.PurchasingPower.com or call 877-797-5558 Eligibility requirements may apply. See site for details. * Promo valid online only for 20% off your first order through9/30/2022 at 11:59pm PT. First time buyers only. Offer excludes select New Product Releases, Brand & Product Specials, Automotive, Vacations, Flooring, and Flash Sales. 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 qualified products only, and does not include shipping, taxes, installation or other fees. “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. © 2022 Purchasing Power, LLC. All rights reserved.
THE REPORTER • Spring 2022
5
SUBMITTED BY CLIFF JOHNSON
MEMBERS IN ACTION
District 2 dropped off goodie bags in January with snacks and SEANC swag for 20 state agency offices in the district. District 2 Chair Cliff Johnson is pictured.
District 68 held an Employee Appreciation Event on April 14 for Washington County Schools in Plymouth.
The Emerging Leaders Council donated blankets and socks to nursing homes in Oxford and Greenville on Feb. 21. Emerging Leaders Council Chair Carl Elliott is pictured with the nursing home activities director Brittany Ragland.
District 59 sponsored a member appreciation food truck event at Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro on March 9. Thirty new members joined SEANC that day!
Emerging Leaders Council got up bright and early on April 2 to clean up Old Crews Road in Knightdale as part of its Adopt-A-Highway community service project.
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THE REPORTER • Spring 2022
District 24 held an Employee Appreciation Lunch and Learn event on March 22 for Bladen County Probation and Parole employees.
District 42 members (Tralene Williams and Stephanie Nmashie) participated in the 2022 Annual Easter Dinner and Basket Give-Away for the Durham Rescue Mission on April 14. District 42 members assisted in organizing, packing, sorting, inspection, and storage of children’s Easter baskets for the event. Additionally, District 42 presented the organization with a $200 donation check to assist with programming and services offered to those Durham County residents in need.
SUBMITTED BY SHONDS KELLY
NCDOT Secretary Eric Boyette stopped by during our Specialty Coffee Event on Feb. 17. He is seen here with SEANC Treasurer Emily Jones and Executive Director Ardis Watkins.
District 17 member Doris Daye was recently named as the North Carolina Department of Public Safety's Warden of the Year for 2022 for her work at Caswell Correctional Center!
MEMBERS IN ACTION
President Martha T. Fowler, Executive Director Ardis Watkins and Member Relations Director Lynn Cote met with DHHS Secretary Kody Kinsley on March 30, to discuss issues of importance to employees in the department.
SUBMITTED BY STEVE LAWSON
There was a great turnout for Membership Training on March 3 at the SEANC Central Office. Members are fired up to help SEANC grow!
District 22 delivered Valentine’s Day boxes filled with chocolates to employees in Cumberland and Harnett Counties on Feb. 14.
District 16 donated items to the SECU Family house in Winston-Salem in February. Pictured is Kara Yates of the Family House and District 16 member Joyce Crisp (right).
District 42 member Tracy Webb was recently appointed to the State Human Resources Commission. SHRC is one of the most important boards overseeing state employment in North Carolina.
District 66 provided breakfasts and lunches on March 23 at Caswell Developmental Center in Kinston.
District 62 hosted an employee appreciation event on March 30 at the North Carolina Education Lottery office in Wilmington with food purchased as part of Jersey Mike's Subs Day of Giving.
n ing be
Executive Director Ardis Watkins (standing) and President Martha T. Fowler met with District 1 members at Southwestern Community College in Sylva on March 22.
ptatet qui con rem. Ut dellore runtur? Ilitatem quissimet ab ilibusMo velicipsa deliqui as archili quiat the
SEANC donates to senior center The State Employees Association of NC, District 21 made a $1,500 donation to South Granville Senior Center on Feb. 9. The SEANC District representative said the donation was to assist with programming, supplies and materials. Shown from left are District 21 members, Margie Satterwhite, Shirley Harris, Cheryl Carrier, senior center coordinator, District 21 Chair Virginia Lindsey and member Sheila Walker. Amanda Dixon, Butner-Creedmoor News
THE REPORTER • Spring 2022
7
Periodical Postage PAID Raleigh, NC 1621 Midtown Place Raleigh, NC 27609
2022 DISCOUNT THEME PARK TICKETS Tickets can be purchased at SEANC.org/themeparks
SINGLE-DAY PRICE
70.19
$
2 PARK, 2-DAY PRICE
82.67
$
DISCOUNTED ADULT PRICE
DISCOUNTED ADULT PRICE
DISCOUNTED ADULT PRICE
DISCOUNTED ADULT PRICE
DOLLYWOOD ADULT PRICE
$
$
$
$
$
44.00
Adult Gate: $75.00 Child Gate: $75.00
29.00
Adult Gate: $38.99 Child Gate: $28.99
36.99
Adult Gate: $54.99 Child Gate: $44.99
38.99
Adult Gate: $43.99 Child Gate: $33.99
88.99
WATER COUNTRY SINGLE PRICE
43.63
$
Single-Day Gate: $89.99 2 Park, 2-Day Gate: $110.99 2 Park, 3-Day Gate: $126.99 Water Country Gate: $64.99
DOLLYWOOD CHILD PRICE
72.95
$
2 PARK, 3-DAY PRICE
$
84.20
SPLASH COUNTRY ADULT PRICE DISCOUNTED ADULT PRICE
DISCOUNTED ADULT PRICE
DISCOUNTED ADULT PRICE
DISCOUNTED ADULT PRICE
$
$
$
$
44.00
Adult Gate: $75.00 Child Gate: $75.00
DISCOUNTED ADULT PRICE
52.00
$
Adult Gate: $58.00
30.00
Adult Gate: $36.99 Child Gate: $26.99
30.00
Adult Gate: $34.99 Child Gate: $26.99
DISCOUNTED CHILD PRICE
33.00
$
Child Gate: $39.00
40.00
Adult Gate: $47.00 Child Gate: $37.00
SEANC is NOT responsible for lost tickets, refunds, or exchanges. See official theme park websites for park calendars with dates and hours of operation. Available through the end of the park season. Tickets are available for purchase ONLINE ONLY.
52.75
$
SPLASH COUNTRY CHILD PRICE
41.55
$
Dollywood Adult Gate: $94.30 Dollywood Child Gate: $83.05 Splash Country Adult Gate: $56.05 Splash Country Child Gate: $44.85