This week, before emancipation, Appalachia provided pathways to freedom for enslaved people trying to escape bondage. A new project identifies more than two dozen previously unknown underground railroad sites. Also, the Fly Around Music & Arts Festival in North Carolina was inspired by the hard work that followed Hurricane Helene. And, a ballad about floods recorded a generation ago still provides solace for people today.
Hospital Workers In Huntington Strike Against Benefits Rollback
Share this Article
Union workers for Cabell Huntington Hospital went on strike Wednesday after contract negotiations fell through.
District 1199 of the Service Employee International Union announced that 1,000 clinical, service and maintenance workers voted to strike last month.
Since then, the union and the hospital have not been able to agree on a contract, which has now expired.
Union leaders say grievances against the hospital include an overall cut to benefits and regular disrespect to employees from management.
Yvonne Brooks, a union delegate, has worked with the hospital for 37 years. She says Cabell Huntington left employees with no choice but to strike.
“We’re taking care of this community, we want to continue to take care of the community. And it’s devastating to us to know that we’ve been pushed to the wall,” Brooks said.
Nurses are contractually unable to walk out, but many of them are supporting the strike as they can.
“We’ve had nurses that have been dropping off everything from firewood to food to water, just different supplies that we need,” said Amy Hayslett, an administrative organizer for SEIU District 1199. “But the best support that they can give them is just raising them up.”
David Adkins / WVPB
/
SEIU District 1199 represents 1,000 clinical, service and maintenance workers at Cabell Huntington Hospital.
Workers say the hospital is scaling back their once guaranteed health insurance coverage for past and present employees. This will result in raised health insurance costs for multiple generations of retired workers.
The union says hospital workers have not gone on strike since 1998. Cabell Huntington Hospital is one of the top employers in the Huntington area.
The hospital administration says the strike hasn’t impacted daily operations. The hospital has hired more temporary workers to replace those walking out.
“We are disappointed that the comprehensive offer made by the hospital to the members of SEIU District 1199 Service unit was not ratified [Tuesday]. Cabell Huntington Hospital has worked in good faith since August,” said Tim Martin, the hospital’s Chief Operating Officer. “We welcome any members of the Service unit who wish to come to work to do so.”
Add WVPB as a preferred source on Google to see more from our team
Many West Virginians have trouble with their teeth. In fact, there’s a big gap between the folks who can reliably access an affordable dentist and those who can’t.
That’s no surprise when ha...
The industrial warehouse fire in Parkersburg is completely out and the shelter in place order has been lifted. Now is the time for cleanup and remediation, as well as an investigation into what caused the blaze.
A lawsuit brought by the state of West Virginia against Apple alleging the company’s business practices safeguard child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) will remain in state courts.
On this West Virginia Week, bats play a critical role in our ecosystems and agriculture, but their numbers are declining in the face of a changing climate and disease.
