Just when you thought SEIU watching could shock you anymore, get ready for this -
Back in 2008 at the International’s last convention in Puerto Rico, both Andy Stern and Mark Kay Henry praised from the podium the formation of SEANC, the State Employees Association of North Carolina SEIU local 2008. SEANC, a newly restructured local for 55,000 state public employees, was described at the time as “the prototype of a 21st century” SEIU affiliate.
Fast-forward to this year to the leak of an internal memo on SEANC by two SEIU California sent to evaluate the local and better understand it as a model. In that memo Chuck Waide, Regional Director of SEIU Local 521, writes “the primary function” of SEANC is “selling insurance.” Records show SEANC employees 14 staff insurance salespeople to only 3 business representatives. According to the memo the union local fails miserably to service its members but is “very efficient and well organized in marketing voluntary insurance programs” to them.
According to Waide, SEANC has no shop steward program and make no attempts at member involvement beyond cold calls, mailings, visits and various promotions design only to push SEANC Accident, Auto, Dental, Healthcare, Home, Legal, Life and Vision policies. As the local’s website says, “you can prepare for life’s uncertainties and gain peace of mind by finding a SEANC Insurance program that fits your needs and your budget.”
