Cope fights for SEANC, etc.

Dana Cope pledged to be a fighter.

When taking his job as executive director of the State Employees Association of North Carolina, Cope said he would fight for better pay and benefits for state workers. 

During his tenure, they got the two biggest back-to-back increases, sued Gov. Mike Easley and state Treasurer Richard Moore, affiliated with the SEIU, and had his contract renewed twice. Some legislators have refused to meet with him.

He's also gotten six tickets for driving 20 mph over the limit, led a battle with the Wake County school board over its economic diversity plan, and gotten into a scuffle with a neighbor on an unrelated matter.

Cope says his "shock jock" style is necessary to get noticed in a state that has not traditionally been labor-friendly. Critics say it's immature. (N&O)