Legislature chooses to HOARD MONEY rather than tackle the state's severe recruitment and retention problems have received assurances from legislative leadership that state employee and retiree raises will be significant in next year’s session, and we will hold them to that promise.
Big Hospitals reap massive growth in profits, cash and investments using taxpayer-funded COVID relief money
• State Health Plan fully funded. No premium increase for the fifth consecutive year.
SEANC was the most prominent voice actively and loudly speak ing out against a state budget proposal from the legislature that fell short of recognizing state employees and retirees with significant and necessary pay increases. Legislators passed their budget and adjourned the short session on July 1.
TH Summer 2022 • Volume 40, Issue 4
• Longevity pay maintained for active state employees.
• Teachers and State Employees Retirement System fully funded. Employer contribution is now 17.38%.
State Treasurer Dale Folwell held a press conference on June 22 to release the findings of a peer-reviewed report that shows that the state’s big hospitals compiled record surpluses thanks to COVID relief funds. Even as they complained of financial losses, wealthy hospital systems en joyed record profits and a massive $7.1 billion growth in cash and investments during the pandemic. These hospital systems recorded those profits after taking $1.5 billion in taxpayer-funded COVID relief, as well as another $1.6 billion in Medicare Ac celerated and Advance Payments. It is unclear why the large systems needed theAtriumrelief. Health alone was sitting on $7 billion in cash and investments. Most systems had enough cash on hand to operate for more than half a year without any incoming revenue — or even 10 times as long as many rural hospitals.Treasurer Folwell said the research results were unsettling. He called on these hospital systems to use their mas sive profits to lower costs for patients and to increase charity care to a level equal to or above their lucrative tax breaks — or to return the unnecessary, taxpayer-funded relief. “Some things are worth getting mad about. The hospital cartel is using tax payer dollars to help crush the middle class and rob lower-income families of upward mobility," Treasurer Folwell said. “Wealthy hospitals took billions of taxpayer dollars meant to protect struggling hospitals — and then some billed poor families or even sued patients.”SEANC stands with Folwell on these issues to ensure the long-term health and affordability of the State Health Plan. Without transparency, health care costs for members will continue to rise, and the hospitals will continue to get richer and richer at our expense.
• 4% one-time supplement for retirees.
2022 BUDGET
• 3.5% pay increase for most state employees — a 1% increase from the 2.5% raise already budgeted.
THE REPORTER
• Opportunity for employees to use or cash in special bonus leave benefits that accrued.
• Minimum wage increase for non-certified school employees to $15 per hour.
SEANC Executive Director Ardis Watkins released a statement shortly after the budget announcement. She also appeared on numerous television shows and in articles to plead our case that legislators should go back to the drawing board and come up with a real plan to tackle recruitment and retention problems.“TheState of North Carolina has record staff vacancy rates, but the legislature is choosing to hoard money rather than give state employees reason to stay,” Watkins said in a statement. “Budgets are always about priorities. This budget shows state employees and retirees that they are not a priority.”
State Employees Association of North Carolina
SEANC members sent more than 3,800 emails to legislators explaining the challenges of working for the state and the need for more investment in the state’s workforce. In the end, neither Republicans nor Democrats showed an appetite for a fight. All Republicans and many Democrats voted “yes” on the budget. It passed both the House and Senate with veto-proof majorities. The General Assembly adjourned the short session after the budget vote. In short sessions, there is usually little interest in taking on contentious issues, and this year was no different. Our lobbyists
• Protection of employees' personnel records.
• DPS employees who are currently on step-pay plans receive an additional 2% for a 4.5% total raise.
2 THE REPORTER • Summer 2022 Oliver Wilson Haverford College Son of District 13 member Christine Haynes UNC Charlotte Ivy Paige Odom WesternUniversityCarolina Daughter of District 1 member Allison TransportationDepartmentEdwardsof Ryan C. Hargove UNC Greensboro Son of District 38 member Kim Hargrove NC Housing Finance Emma Norris NC State University Daughter of District 22 member Sandy DepartmentBoyetteofPublicSafety Jacob C. Crawford UNC Chapel Hill Son of District 5 member Chris DepartmentCrawfordofPublicSafety Kaushik Sriram Georgia Institute of Technology Son of District 42 SoundaryamemberSriramDept.ofHealth&HumanServices Madison Massey Campbell University Daughter of District 58 member Penny DepartmentMasseyofPublicSafety Elizabeth Lourcey University of Florida Daughter of District 9 member Michelle Lourcey College Board Stella Goolsby Gannon University Daughter of District 25 member Rachel Goolsby UNC Chapel Hill Four-Year Merit ($1,000) Austin Clinefelter EastUniversityCarolina Son of District 65 PittCatinamemberClinefelterCommunityCollege Braylin Sayles UNC Wilmington Daughter of District 2 member Shane TransportationDepartmentSaylesof Andrew McCormick Wingate University Son of District 20 member Hoyt A. McCormick Moore County Schools The SEANC Scholarship Foundation, Retiree Council and SEANC districts across the state announced they are awarding approx imately $120,000 in scholarships. $40,000 of that is being given out by the statewide SEANC Scholarship Foundation to 45 deserving students. The five categories of statewide schol arships include: Member-Only, TwoYear Merit, Two Year Financial, FourYear Merit and Four Year Financial. SCHOLARSHIP Annali Rae Silver Gardner-WebbUniversity Daughter of District 3 member Misty Wood CommunityMaylandSilverCollege Madilyn Brown UNC Wilmington Daughter of District 6 CassandramemberStewartDept.ofHealth&HumanServices Mary L. Johnson Campbell University Daughter of District 61 member Missi DepartmentJohnsonofPublicSafety Julie M. Ridings Anderson University Daughter of District 4 member Lambert Ridings Polk County Schools Mason R. Hall NC State University Son of District 24 member Lori DepartmentHall of Commerce Two-Year Merit ($500) Haven Suiter AppalachianUniversityState Daughter of District 7 member Kelli Suiter Department of Health & Human Services Brayson L. Buff Western CommunityPiedmontCollege Son of District 5 member Joy Buff Western CommunityPiedmontCollege Jasmine Grandy Wake CommunityTechnicalCollege Daughter of District 40 member Stephanie Grandy Retired Greg Johnson FayettevilleUniversityState Member of District 5 Department of Public Safety Rebekah Benton NC A&T University Member of District 24 NC ExtensionCooperativeServices Shenita Martin CaldwellCollegeCommunity Member of District 6 Department of Health & Human Services Katrina Farrington UNC Pembroke Member of District 20 Department of Public Instruction Member-Only ($500) Michele Kim JohnUniversityHopkins Member of District 59 Department of Health & Human Services 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. ADVERTISING POLICY Jonathan Owens, Editor-In-Chief • Beth Dew, Managing Editor State Employees Association of NC 1621 Midtown Place • Raleigh, NC 27609 919-833-6436 • 800-222-2758 • www.seanc.orgREPORTERTHE
Briana Veres UNC Chapel Hill Daughter of District 40 member Tatyana Veres Department of Public Safety
Nathan Sutton Wayne Community College Son of District 59 member Carolyn Sutton SAA K'la Brannon ECPI Daughter of District 26 member Sherri Hill Department of Public Safety Two-Year Financial ($500)
Elizabeth Patteson of San Francisco Daughter of District
Ezekiel David Leak NC A&T grandson of District 27 member Sheila Holman-Leak DeshawnLenoirVazquezCantrell-RhyneUniversity
Zamaria Wilson NC A&T University Daughter of District 65 member Lisa Hagans EastUniversityCarolina Aniya Bush UNC Charlotte Daughter of District 26 member Creo DepartmentMcIverofPublicSafety
Jacob Crawford UNC Chapel Hill grandson of District 6 member Lottie C. Chapman Retiree Grandchild
Danielle Richmond UNC Chapel Hill granddaughter of District 20 member Lorae Roukema
University Son of
Department of Health & Human Services
University
of District 58 member John TransportationDepartmentFieldsof
Thompson BelmontCollegeAbbey Daughter of
7 member Lynn DepartmentWebberofHealth & Human Services
Victoria District member Thompson II
Department of Public Instruction
Brandon Cain Son District
UniversityState
James
Bland
Chelsea E. Methodist District
Administrative
Courts
28 member Anel
Jemiesha Taft Winston Salem
4
grandson of District 6 member Robert Cantrell Anna Blackburn Washington and Lee University granddaughter of District 8 member Richard Blackburn
3THE REPORTER • Summer SCHOLARSHIP2022
Burnette
University Daughter of
Forest Service Four-Year Financial ($1,200) Azariah Best
Lauryn NC Daughter
Taylor A. Blake EastUniversityCarolina Daughter NC NC
62 member
Amyah Farrington NC A&T University
Amyah Farrington NC A&T granddaughter of District 20 member Jacquelyn Chatman
24 member Stephanie Burnette CommunityRobesonCollege
Jaylan Raye Hunt UNC Pembroke granddaughter of District 24 member June Locklear Lorelei Byrd UNC Chapel Hill granddaughter of District 27 member Mary Moseley Jaden Best Shaw University grandson of District 70 RolandmemberBest Cordelia Lehto PortlandUniversityState granddaughter of District 62 member Carol King
Daughter of District 20 member Katrina PublicDepartmentFarringtonofInstruction
Fields
State University
22 member Latoya Cain Department of Health & Human Services
of District 61 member Thomas Blake
3 member
Olivia Biddix UNC Chapel Hill Daughter of District David Biddix Western CommunityPiedmontCollege
Richard Cruz-Torres NC A&T District Torres-Lira
Sylvia K. Jennings EastUniversityCarolina Daughter of District 69 member Tonya S. Jennings Office of the
State University Daughter of District 70 member Samara Taft CommunityLenoirCollege
A&T University Daughter of District 42 member Portia Best Wake County Public Schools
Omolara Victoria Ojo Winston Salem Daughter
FayettevilleUniversityState
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Reporter, 1621 Midtown Place, Raleigh, NC 27609.
of
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.
Charlotte E. Bland UNC Greensboro Daughter of District William G. CountyBrunswickSchools
Samayia Floyd NC A&T University Daughter of District 21 member Kathy Floyd Department of Health & Human Services
of District 16 DepartmentStephenmemberOjoofPublicSafety
During the May Board of Governors' Meeting, EMPAC-endorsed candidate for U.S. Senate Cheri Beasley met with the Board. Pictured above left are Benevolence Chair Deborah Fleming, District 4 Chair Caroline Dedmon, President Martha Fowler, Candidate Beasley and Vice President Kirk Montgomery.
District 22 hosted an employee appreciation event at Hope Mills Middle School on May 3, and an employee appreciation breakfast at the N.C. Dept. of Environ mental Quality Office in Fayetteville on May 17.
District 25 hosted a food truck/free lunch event on May 24 to show appreciation for UNC Chapel Hill employees.
Fayetteville State University Chancellor Darrell T. Allison and new campus Chief of Police, Roberto E. Bryan, Jr. joined SEANC on June 7 for some food and fun prizes. We also had the privilege of making Chief Bryan a SEANC member.
SEANC had a great time at the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services on June 29 feeding state employees and giving them some information about SEANC.
MEMBERS IN
SEANC held a Leadership Training April 27-29 at the SEANC office in Raleigh. During this three-day training, participants learned important leadership techniques that can be applied to their SEANC work, as well as, to their personal and social lives.
4 THE REPORTER • Summer 2022
ACTION
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District 17 sponsored a state employee appreciation lunch at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro on May 10.
SEANC participated in the NCPPA Annual Training. Pictured are Durham Sheriff Clarence Birkhead, Member Relations Rep. Felicia Powell and Durham Mayor Pro Tempore Mark-Anthony Middleton.
District 20 hosted appreciation events in Hoke and Moore Counties in June at NCWorks, courthouses, DMV, and Probation and Parole offices. Pictured are District 20 member (and SEANC employee) Jacque Chatman, and Hoke County DMV examiners.
tral
Members of SEANC's concerns.rectionalCongressmembersWatkins,DirectorandMarthawithMayton,werePrisonCommitteeSelectonSafetyinWashingDC,on12,alongPresidentT.FowlerExecutiveArdistolobbyofoncorofficer
5THE REPORTER • Summer 2022 MEMBERS IN ACTION
SEANC served state employees a Capital City Cuisine lunch and Jay’s Italian Ice on Cinco de Mayo Day at Halifax Mall in Raleigh.
Districts 61 provided lunch for the employees at Sampson County Courthouse and Probation/ Parole on June 22.
During the May Retiree issues.icationSmithPresidentAward2021presentedMitchExecutivemeeting,CouncilretiredDirectorLeonardwaswiththeBobHopperfromPastDuaneforhisdedtoretiree Dates pension checks are direct deposited to your bank account or checks are mailed: Contact N.C. Retirement Systems at 877-627-3287 with address updates, questions about your retirement check or deductions. 2022 RETIREE PAY Dec.Nov.DATES2322.Aug. Oct.Sept.252325JOHNSONTERESABYSUBMITTED ERWINMARIABYSUBMITTED EVANSGLORIABYSUBMITTED
Pictured
District 42 visited the Office of Rural Health’s staff meeting on May 13 at Pullen Park in Raleigh to meet with employees and spread the word about SEANC (pictured at left). In June, District 42 sponsored Community Health and Wellness Fair in Knightdale.
District 56 provided lunch in May for Weldon City Schools' teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week. Pictured is SEANC Member Relations Representative Gloria Evans (far left) and some of the Weldon School teachers.
Districts 5, 6 and 7 sponsored a food truck event on June 16 in Morganton. Pictured are (top left) District 5 members Johnny Burnette and Tony Smith; (top right) District 7 member Sandra Bristol; District 6 members Shenita Martin and Chuck Scruggs.
District 38 recently partnered with Juvenile Justice Education Central Office staff to provide “goodies” in honor of Educator Appreciation Week 2022. These items of gratitude were distributed to educators working in the eleven North Carolina Juvenile De tention Centers and Youth Development Centers. SEANC was a proud sponsor of NCCA North Cen Region Vision Conference on June 23 at Wake Technical Community College Northern Campus. is Harnett Correction Warden Cathy Judge, Prison Reform Chair Deborah Harney, Asst. Deputy Commissioner Brandeshawn Harris and Second Vice President Wendell Powell.
District 3 sponsored the 15th Annual Memorial Lois W. Forrester Golf Tournament on May 5. Pictured are first place team members Tripp Shaw, Director of Member Services C.J. Stephens, Dan Shanahan and Chris Carrigan.
©2022 Liberty Mutual Insurance Advertisement produced on behalf of the following specific insurers and seeking to obtain business for insurance underwritten by Farmers Property and Casualty Insurance Company (a MN licensee) and certain of its affiliates: Economy Fire & Casualty Company, Economy Premier Assurance Company, Economy Preferred Insurance Company, Farmers Casualty Insurance Company (a MN licensee), Farmers Direct Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Farmers Group Property and Casualty Insurance Company, or Farmers Lloyds Insurance Company of Texas, all with administrative home offices in Warwick, RI. Coverage, rates, discounts, and policy features vary by state and product and are available in most states to those who qualify. 3780560.1 ©2022 Farmers Insurance® Insurance is underwritten by The Travelers Indemnity Company or one of its property casualty affiliates One Tower Square, Hartford, CT 06183. In TX: Automobile Insurance is offered through Travelers Texas MGA, Inc. and underwritten by Consumers County Mutual Insurance Company (CCM). CCM is not a Travelers Company. In WA: Automobile Insurance is underwritten by The Standard Fire Insurance Company. Homeowners Insurance is underwritten by Travelers Personal Insurance Company. All underwriting companies in WA listed above are located at One Tower Square, Hartford, CT 06183. 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. Other terms, conditions or exclusions may apply. In FL: Homeowners insurance is not currently offered for new business.
6 THE REPORTER • Summer 2022 *Homeowners coverage for Liberty Mutual may be limited in Florida. *Home insurance has limited availability in MA and is not part of Farmers GroupSelectSM benefit offering in FL. *Home insurance is not currently part of the Travelers new business offering in Florida. You may also be eligible for these additional bene ts: • Multi-Car Discount • Multi-Policy Savings • Good Student Discount Get FREE auto and home insurance quotes from these trusted companies: 800-230-0827Client#101391 844-299-6874 Discount Code: BMO Discount888-695-4640Code4110 You could save on auto and home* insurance. As members of SEANC, you could take advantage of special savings on auto and home insurance from some of the most trusted names in the industry. Plus, you can choose Automatic Payroll Deduction for added convenience. SEANC MEMBERS Coverage provided and underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates, 175 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116. Discounts and savings are available where state laws and regulations allow, and may vary by state. Certain discounts apply to specific coverages only. 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 a motor vehicle report, on all drivers listed on your policy, may be obtained where state laws and regulations allow. In Texas, coverage provided and underwritten by one or more of the following companies: Liberty Insurance Corporation, Liberty Lloyds of Texas Insurance Company, Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Company, Liberty Mutual Personal Insurance Company, Peerless Indemnity Insurance Company, and Liberty County Mutual Insurance Company. Learn more about our privacy policy at libertymutual.com/privacy.
© 2022 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. This information is written and provided by Liberty Mutual, Farmers GroupSelect, and Travelers. The employer is not a sponsor of this program and is in no way responsible for Liberty Mutual, Farmers GroupSelect, and Travelers or the insurance provided under this program. Liberty Mutual, Farmers GroupSelect, and Travelers operate independently and are not responsible for each other’s financial obligations. All costs associated with marketing this program are paid for by Liberty Mutual, Farmers GroupSelect, and Travelers. 15817997 AFF686950-15 3C-Digital 2022/02
STATE PERSONNEL CASES: Representing State Employees in Grievances, Court of Appeals, and NC Office of Administrative Hearings 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. The Law Office of Jennifer Knox PROTECTING STATE EMPLOYEE RIGHTS 4600 Marriott Drive, Suite 200 ■ Raleigh, NC 27612 ■ Disciplinary Appeals ■ Grievances /Just Cause ■ Exempt Designation ■ Health Care Registry ■ Whistleblower Cases ■ Dismissal Appeals ■ Law Enforcement Certification 919-624-5171 ■ www.jenniferknoxlaw.com Doug Sutton Insurance Services Providing quality and affordable insurance to SEANC members for over 40 years. Please call us if we can be of service! 919-836-9993 dougsutton@dougsuttonins.com We appreciate doing business with you! or toll free: 800-788-7771 your first order 20 % off * Promo code: FUNSAVINGS Ends 9/1/22 If any changes should occur in your employment, please contact SEANC immediately. *Promo valid online only for 20% off your first order through 9/1/2022 at 11:59pm PT. Offer excludes select New Product Releases, Brand & Product Specials, Automotive, Vacations, 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. Get started at SEANC.PurchasingPower.com or call 877-797-5558 No credit check | Fixed payments | No hidden fees From backyard fun to epic adventures afar, Purchasing Power has everything you need for summer. Unlock your Spending Power and shop the latest grills, patio furniture, outdoor rec and more. We ship your order upfront. You pay over time with no credit check and no down payments. Buy now. Pay up to 12 months from your paycheck. Make the most of summer
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