Audit shows membership drops for largest state employee associations

NCAE protests for more funding at the N.C. legislative building in 2020. Photo via A.P. Dillon, North State Journal

RALEIGH — The N.C. State Auditor’s Office has published its annual report on state employee association membership counts for the year ending Dec. 31, 2022. 

The report cites the following membership totals: 

  • State Employees Association of North Carolina (SEANC) — 43,894  
  • North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE) — 24,994  
  • Southern States Police Benevolent Association (SSPBA) — 16,043 
  • Teamsters Local 391 — 7,814 
  • North Carolina Public Service Workers Union (UE Local 150) — 5,857 
  • Classroom Teachers Association of North Carolina (CTANC) — 3,827 
  • Correctional Peace Officers Foundation (CPOF) — 2,568 
  • North Carolina Troopers Association (NCTA) — 2,195 
  • Professional Educators of North Carolina (PENC) — 2,167  
  • Teamsters Local 71 — 34  
  • School Bus Driver Association — 22 
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Some of the largest associations lost members over the previous year’s audit report.  

SEANC lost 1,012 members (2.3%) and the NCAE​’s membership dropped​ by​ 1,210 members (4.8%), going from 26,204 as reported in the previous year’s audit report​ to 24,994​ in the current report. 

Per its website, ​​prior to and during the pandemic years the NCAE has padded its membership figures by including not ​only active classroom teachers but also those pre-retired or retired and​ aspiring educators, and has offered “community ally” membership options for $25.  

“Community ally” memberships can be obtained by family members of public school employees, business owners, community supporters of education and former public school educators. 

Last year, North State Journal asked the state auditor’s office for the source or methodology behind ​its collection of numbers for the NCAE but was told​, “The N.C. Office of the State Auditor’s workpapers and supportive materials related to audits and investigations are confidential pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 147-64.6(d).”

About A.P. Dillon 1478 Articles
A.P. Dillon is a North State Journal reporter located near Raleigh, North Carolina. Find her on Twitter: @APDillon_