On May 3, 2008, the State Employees Association of North Carolina (SEANC) voted to affiliate with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). The SEANC convention included 671 elected delegates representing SEANC's 55,000 state employee members across the state. Nearly 80 percent, or 524 delegates, voted to affiliate with SEIU. "This vote marks the largest union victory ever for working people across the South --especially in North Carolina, which previously had the lowest rate of unionization in the country," said Dana Cope, SEANC's executive director. North Carolina currently lags far behind the rest of the country when it comes to public employee pay and benefits ts. North Carolina ranks 35th in public employee pay, 45th for family health care coverage (the 5th worst state) and 30th in pension benefits. As a result, many state employees can't afford to remain in state government. Turnover cost the state $563 million in Fiscal Year 2006-2007 up from $362 million the previous year. By combining SEIU's expertise with SEANC's strength, state employees will be better able to partner with the state to improve retention. This will help ensure that more state resources are focused on improving our roads and bridges, strengthening our higher education system, keeping our communities safe and protecting children and the elderly. Uniting with SEIU also helps SEANC build a national presence to advocate for North Carolina and ensure that our communities get their share of funding for critical state services like transportation, health and human services and corrections. SEANC, SEIU Local 2008, is the South's leading state employees association 55,000 members strong. With 1.9 million members, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in North America and includes over one million public employees who have united to improve their lives and the services they provide.
In May 2004, North Carolinians for Affordable Health Care was launched as a result of the SEANC Board of Governors' directive to partner with like-minded organizations to work for quality, affordable health care for all North Carolinians. Director Chuck Stone lobbies for health care issues and represents SEANC in important coalitions to secure quality, affordable health care for all. Contact Chuck at or 800-222-2758.
SEANC is a member of the HOPE Coalition, a group of organizations representing public employees seeking to secure collective bargaining rights for public employees by repealing N.C. General Statute 95-98.
AARP, Business Roundtable, Service Employees Union (SEIU), and National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) are engaging the American people, businesses, non-profit organizations, and elected officials in finding bi-partisan solutions to ensure affordable, quality health care and long-term financial security – for all of us. The need for health and financial security is something we all share, not just for ourselves, but for future generations. It is the promise of America.