Governor Ends Taxpayer Subsidy for SEANC/SEIU | Eastern North Carolina Now

    News Release:

Changes Will Save Taxpayers $425,000 Annually in Lost Productivity

    Raleigh, N.C.     Governor Pat McCrory signed an executive order today that will save North Carolina taxpayers an estimated $425,000 subsidy in worker productivity by eliminating paid leave for SEANC officers and delegates to attend the SEANC annual convention. SEANC is a member of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 2008.

    "This executive order provides fairness and equity for all state employees while saving taxpayer money at the same time," Governor McCrory said.

    The need for Executive Order 84 (EO 84) came after a reexamination of the state's relationship with SEANC. Concerns arose over SEANC's recent and highly publicized financial mismanagement that led to the criminal conviction of its former executive director. Those concerns increased further when SEANC failed to implement substantive reforms or leadership changes. Even as allegations mounted against the former executive director, the current President of SEANC held firm that that there was no wrong-doing.

    EO 84 eliminates a provision that granted delegates to SEANC (more than 800 people) up to three days of additional state paid leave to attend SEANC's annual convention. This additional paid leave was not offered to all other state employees. Conservative estimates show this has cost the state an estimated $425,000 per year and more than $2.2 million in lost productivity during the five years the provision had been in place.

    To continue dialogue with SEANC representatives, the executive order provides at least one meeting per year with the governor and a minimum of two meetings per year with the State Human Resources Director.

    View the executive order.

    Werner received a management degree from the University of North Texas.

    He lives in Raleigh with his wife and two sons.

    Werner will begin his role as State CIO immediately.

    Contact: Crystal Feldman
       govpress@nc.gov