MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Union workers at WVU Hospitals have approved a new contract.
Members of the Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 814 have ratified the deal with WVUH that will be in place through March 2027.
LIUNA Local 814 Business Manager Kristi Snider said the contract was ratified by a vote of 369-235. Approval came after two previous contract proposals on April 12 and May 17 were voted down.
“When we went back and had those conversations and reinterpreted what the membership wanted and why that was needed, we came to a resolution,” Snider said. “That’s how we finally came to a contract they felt comfortable ratifying.”
Snider said maintaining healthcare benefits was a big win for membership in the negotiations.
“Retaining their union choice 100 percent healthcare,” Snider said. “That’s very important to the members, so maintaining that is always our number one goal.”
The agreement provides a $0.65/hour pay increase for all LIUNA Local 814 members each year from 2025–2027. Many employees will be promoted to higher pay grades. Additionally, employees with more than 25 years of service will receive pay increases. Under the contract, employees will also receive longevity and annual discretionary bonuses. In the first 28 days of the contract, the employees will receive a $1,000 ratification bonus plus two longevity bonuses. In total, these bonuses will add up to approximately $3,000 for many employees.
“For the first time, we have been able to get the annual bonus that the hospital does based on hospital performance in our contract as well,” Snider said.
Snider said some workers will receive a raise rather than a one-time bonus, as had been paid in the past.
“Our more tenured employees are getting raises instead of lump sum payments,” Snider said. “That’s what they want and need to see in their wage.”
The agreement also incorporates shuttle drivers who joined LIUNA Local 814 after a vote in 2023.
Negotiations were amicable, and Michael Grace, president of WVUH and Chief Administrative Officer of the WVU Health System, personally attended one of the negotiation sessions.