By Courtney D. Clark
Register-Herald Reporter
BECKLEY —
A tentative collective bargaining agreement between Appalachian Regional Healthcare and the United Steelworkers of America was reached Wednesday for more than 2,300 ARH employees represented by the USW in eastern Kentucky and southern West Virginia. According to Dan Fitzpatrick, ARH executive director of human resources and labor relations, the parties have been working diligently for several weeks to reach an agreement that will provide employees with improved wages, benefits and workplace rules while affording ARH the ability to continue to be viable and sustainable. “ARH and the USW worked through some very difficult issues to reach this tentative agreement which demonstrates our mutual commitment to our patients and employees,” Fitzpatrick said in a statement. “This tentative agreement reflects compromises by both parties which were made in the long-term best interests of all stakeholders, including the communities we serve and all employees who support the mission and the organization.” The employees covered under the contract work in a variety of areas and occupations, including clerical, housekeeping, maintenance, dietary, nursing, laboratory, respiratory and radiology. Although the new contract goes into effect April 1, USW representatives say they will not disclose the details of the agreement until after the union conducts explanation and ratification meetings with members at each location. Those meetings are expected to take place early next week, with a vote on the contract to follow. In an e-mail to The Register-Herald, a union spokesperson said they were able to achieve a number of significant improvements through the contract; however, calls made to local USW officials for comment Thursday were not returned.
— E-mail: cclark@registerherald.com
