CHARLESTON, West Virginia – In an ongoing dispute between members of RWDSU and Alecto Healthcare Services in West Virginia, Alecto has now agreed to a financial settlement.
Alecto had planned to close Fairmont Regional Medical Center without providing any compensation for the staff. The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union contacted Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and asked for an investigation. Following a review by the Attorney General in West Virginia, Alecto Healthcare Services is planning to pay workers for paid time off after the closure of the Fairmont Regional Medical Center. Alecto has now stating its intent to pay more than $240,000 in paid time off to RWDSU hospital workers of the Fairmont Regional Medical Center.
“Alecto and every company operating in West Virginia must follow the law,” Morrisey said. “I am pleased our actions have helped lead to the recovery of lost benefits for additional workers at Fairmont Regional. Our aggressive efforts in this matter will continue as the employees of Alecto, no matter if they worked in Fairmont or Wheeling, deserve to have the benefits promised to them.”
The $240,000 payment covers lost paid time off for certified nurse assistants and support nurses represented by the RWDSU, as well as the hospital’s support staff, cafeteria and maintenance workers also represented by the union.
“We have had to fight with Alecto and Fairmont Regional for years to maintain Health Care for our members, as well as proper staffing levels and equipment for their patients,” said Stuart Appelbaum, president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union. “Our members have always put patient care first, and now Alecto needs to pay their nearly $11 million in health care costs and pension benefits that are owed. This company has damaged this community and our members with their lack of ability to properly operate Fairmont General Hospital. We will continue to fight for our member’s lost benefits and hope to resume conversations with the company around this swiftly.”
