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:
- -Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina announced on Thursday that all out-of-pocket costs associated with COVID-19 treatment will be waived. This includes treatment for all State Health Plan members.
- -Be sure to get your news from a trusted source. The News& Observer puts together a good rundown of daily information here. Most other papers are doing similar things.
- -Continue to keep State Treasurer Dale Folwell in your thoughts and prayers as he battles the virus. His office announced today that he was released from the hospital after a brief stay. He did not require a ventilator at any point during his stay.
- -Folwell’s office assured everyone that retirement checks would be mail as scheduled despite the virus, and has set up this page for retirees for more information.
- -Looking for professional development opportunities while you're stuck at home? N.C. State's McKimmon Center has lots of online opportunities here.
- -SEANC is currently out of hand sanitizers, but we have placed an order which hopefully will arrive soon and we can resume our deliveries to worksites.
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!