CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) District 1199 WV/KY/OH announced Wednesday that the Attorney General’s continued investigation into and union negotiations with Alecto Healthcare Services has led to the company stating its intent to pay nearly $1 million in paid time off to employees of the now shuttered Fairmont Regional Medical Center.
The nearly $1 million includes paid-time-off (PTO), accrued vacation time, and bonus days.
Additionally, the Attorney General plans to continue working with hospital workers to pursue litigation against Alecto Healthcare for 401K contributions the California-based, for-profit healthcare corporation still owes union members
“I am pleased to hear that Alecto has agreed to pay nearly $1 million in paid time off to employees who earned that money through their hard work and loyalty at Fairmont Regional Medical Center,” Attorney General Morrisey said. “This is an important first step by Alecto, but make no mistake that our office remains committed to taking every step possible to help the workers who were improperly treated.
“These employees did not ask for the sudden closure of Fairmont Regional Medical Center. It was forced upon the employees and the community at large amid a global pandemic. Our office intends to leave no stone unturned. Employees of Fairmont Regional, as well as those at Ohio Valley Medical Center, deserve nothing less,” Morrisey added.
“This is a major victory for the workers of Fairmont Regional Medical Center, who continued to provide quality care to this community up until the day Alecto shuttered the doors of hospital,” said Joyce Gibson, regional director for SEIU District 1199 WV/KY/OH. “By working with Governor Justice and Attorney General Morrisey, we are sending a message that if you are going to do business in West Virginia, you have to treat our workers with dignity and respect.”
The Attorney General announced Wednesday that his investigation into Fairmont Regional’s sudden closure had yielded new information about whether Alecto provided advanced notice of any mass layoff to employees.
The Attorney General revealed that concern in a recent letter to the Marion County Commission and Fairmont Mayor Brad Merrifield. Read more about that announcement at https://bit.ly/3bUXAfi.