CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Members of the Teamsters Union have rejected a contract offer at a skilled nursing home in Clarksburg.
About 45 members of Teamsters Local 175, employed at River Oaks in Clarksburg, have voted by a 93% margin to reject the final offer from the company and authorize a strike.
The workers are Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and workers in housekeeping and dietary.
Union officials said many employees are required to pay more than 50% of their health insurance premiums for coverage in a network that does not include WVU Medicine. The union also said the wage proposal is not adequate to meet health care costs or bring the employees to a livable wage. Also, some workers are required to work 16-hour shifts due to staffing issues, according to the union.
“These employees are underpaid, understaffed, and underappreciated by this Company. I have reached out to the Company multiple times after the vote but to date have not received any returned phone calls. Since the vote the members have continued to work in hopes to reach a resolution and avoid a labor dispute,” Luke Farley, Teamsters Local 175 Attorney said. “Many of the employees consider the residents as family. However, the company’s actions and stonewall tactics will force a disruption in care to residents at the center. It is a shame CommuniCare River Oaks refuses to take care of the employees who take care of peoples’ loved ones.”
The law requires the union to provide a minimum 10-day notice before a strike at a health care facility.
The contract expired Aug. 1.