SEANC advocating for employee safety, hazard pay

Apr 03, 2020

SEANC is working around the clock to make sure your questions and concerns are addressed as the state deals with the COVID-19 crisis.

We are advocating for the closure of all worksites that do not involve mandatory workers. Employees should be allowed to work from home when possible, and those who can’t should be granted special leave so they continue to be paid. Any employee who works in a position that place them in danger should receive hazard pay as well.

This is an opportune time for legislative leaders and Gov. Roy Cooper to come up with a bipartisan solution to this matter. As with all other businesses in the state, it is imperative that state leaders do what’s right by their employees in this time.

The situation at our prisons is a matter of great concern right now. DPS Commissioner of Prisons Todd Ishee announced Thursday that four inmates and four staff members have tested positive for COVID-19. The staff members work at Central, Johnston, Maury and Eastern, and the inmates are at Caledonia, Neuse and Johnston.

SEANC Executive Director Ardis Watkins and other members of the staff and membership have worked diligently with prison leaders to make sure correctional employees’ concerns are being addressed.

Watkins will host and moderate two all-staff calls with DHHS facility officials and employees in coming days. The first call will take place Saturday at 9 a.m., and the second on Wednesday, April 8, at 5 p.m. Employees can find more information and submit questions for the call here. We hope to plan similar events for other departments in the near future.

Other items of interest to state employees and retirees:

Finally, everyone could use a little inspiration right now. Here's a great song from our last convention, sung by the choir from Southern Wayne High School in Dudley. Thank you to all of you for your hard work in this crisis. We Will Rise up!