DOH workers advance grievance after talks fail

Negotiations collapsed Wednesday between the West Virginia Division of Highways and more than 400 of its workers who filed grievances against the state for a lack of pay raises, alleging noncompliance with a 2017 law.

John Thompson, an international representative with the United Electrical Workers union, worked with the mediation. After a nearly three-hour, closed-door hearing, he said the talks were unsuccessful.

“Unfortunately, we were unable to resolve the grievance,” he said. “We felt that we gave them an offer that was reasonable, based on the retention raises they gave other similarly situated employees, but they did not accept that. We’re going to go forward with the grievance, but irrespective of what happens with the grievance process, we’re going to continue this fight until justice is won and these employees get what they deserve.”

Troves of grievants, clad in bright green shirts with “Can you see us now?” written across the chest, streamed out of the Public Employees Grievance Board’s office after the hearing, most declining comment due to the ongoing nature of the grievance.

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