President's Message
Dear SEANC Delegates,

We wanted you to be the first to know about an exciting vote taken today (March 8) by the Board of Governors.  After a four-year partnership with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the BOG voted 47-10 to enter negotiations to affiliate with SEIU and to hold a convention on May 2-3 in Greenville for the sole purpose of considering affiliation with SEIU.  

The BOG cited many reasons for affiliation consideration, including having a strong national presence on issues that affect state budgets, such as Medicare and health care funding.  Federal funding makes up nearly one-third of North Carolina’s budget.  SEIU can also help fight privatization, such as North Carolina’s recent mental health reform.  Additionally, as SEANC seeks to restore collective bargaining rights for North Carolina public employees, affiliation with SEIU would provide resources and experience for bargaining negotiations.

Many SEANC members, both active and retired state employees, have traveled across the nation to observe public workers and SEIU’s affiliates in other states.  Through these trips, we’ve learned that state employees across the country are just like us.

The number of delegates approved for each district will be determined April 17, which is 15 days prior to the first day of the May 2-3 convention (as outlined in our bylaws).  All other business will be considered at the Annual Convention in Greensboro in September. 

The BOG authorized the SEANC Executive Committee and staff to negotiate a proposed affiliation agreement with SEIU to be presented in May.

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of an affiliation agreement.  You will receive more information about the May convention agenda in coming days.
Your President,
Linda Rouse Sutton J