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Union pickets protest conditions at Bateman Hospital

January 16, 2012, Charleston Gazette

 In an effort to draw attention to problems at the state's psychiatric hospitals, members of the West Virginia Public Workers Union UE Local 170 rallied Monday outside Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital in Huntington. Full article.

January 16, 2012, Herald Dispatch, Huntington, WV

 Protesters rallied Monday against what they described as unsafe working conditions, increasing violence and mandatory overtime affecting their fellow union members at Mildred-Mitchell Bateman Hospital. Full article.

January 16, 2012, WCHS-TV, Charleston, WV

Too much overtime and not enough workers. Those are the concerns of some employees at a state-run hospital in Huntington. Full article.

Union Threatens Lawsuit - Low Wages, Understaffing Cited in Cause

September 25, 2011, Charleston Gazette

Many West Virginia mental hospital workers share growing concerns about overcrowding, understaffing and mandatory overtime, particularly at the two state psychiatric care facilities - William R. Sharpe, Jr. Hospital in Weston and Mildred-Mitchell Bateman Hospital in Huntington. Full article

Sharpe Hospital 50-bed add is good, but not enough, critics argue Weston psychiatric facility overcrowded, understaffed

August 14, 2011, Charleston Gazette

Employees and union officials hope a new 50-bed unit will help ease overcrowding at a state psychiatric facility in Weston, but they also want the state to take other steps to fix problems there.  Full article

State Workers Plan Rally in Weston

July 22, 2011, Charleston Gazette

State hospital workers plan rally in Weston. Employees of a state psychiatric hospital in Weston plan to rally Saturday to protest working conditions they say are worsening. Full article

Workers Rally Over Deteriorating Conditions

July 11, 2011

From WDTV: Workers rallied outside of Sharpe Hospital in Weston Saturday against what they call "deteriorating work conditions."

A group of UE Local 170 union members rallied to draw attention to issues like over-bedding, a lack of representation, and mandatory overtime, all things they say are causing patient and staff safety issues. Workers say they have tried to set up meetings with CEO Parker Haddix, but haven't been successful since May. Full article with video

Pay freeze eased but few raises received

June 17, 2011

State officials have approved just 12 pay raises since acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin's administration said in late March it would be easier for agencies to give discretionary raises. Full article

Clarksburg Hosts Rally For Union Members

March 21, 2011

From WDTV:  Delegate Mike Caputo was just one of several speakers at Saturday's labor rally in Clarksburg. Dozens gathered to show support for union workers in Wisconsin, whose fight for collective bargaining rights has sparked rallies across the country. Full article with video

West Virginia Worker Outrage

February 27, 2009

CNN's Lisa Sylvester reports on state workers in West Virginia who are barely paid enough to make ends meet. Full Article

Media Coverage from 2010