Mass grievance against DOH denied

In a decision that was released Tuesday, an administrative law judge has denied a mass grievance protesting the Department of Highways’ failure to follow a new pay scale mandated by the West Virginia Legislature and the State Personnel Board.

Administrative Law Judge Billie Thacker Catlett issued the ruling against several hundred workers, including members of UE Local 170, saying among other things, “Grievants failed to prove Respondent (DOH) was required to pay increases to all employees or that the pay plan was discriminatory.”

In October 2017, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 2003, which was intended to address chronic staffing shortages in the DOH. Workers argue that inequities in pay and classification were not addressed as the law intended.

The ruling is attached. Any party — an individual or group of grievants — can appeal to the Kanawha County Circuit Court within 30 days.