CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A group of West Virginia probation officers has asked the state Supreme Court to stop state Auditor Glen Gainer from changing the way they are paid from twice-a-month to every other week.
The West Virginia Association of Probation Officers, which represents 252 adult and juvenile probation officers across the state, filed a writ of mandamus with the Court Tuesday calling on it to stop the pay change because it conflicts with existing state code and that it will allegedly short the pay of the probation officers in the transition year.
There is existing state law that says probation officers are to be paid twice a month, the association alleged in its filing, which is in direct conflict with the 2014 law that allowed for the change.
Gainer and others have been working with the new OASIS computer system to make the change but it’s been met with lots of controversy. The changeover was put on hold last year but the probation officers association says Gainer plans to make the change for the remaining state workers in May.
The writ also alleges probation officers would receive $277 less than what they are due in their annual salaries in 2015 if the change takes place.
The Supreme Court has ordered a response by Gainer by April 20.
The probation officers are represented by Morgantown attorneys John Hedges and Stephanie Mascella.