This story was reported by West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Greenbrier Hotel employees were notified Monday that they may lose their health care coverage next week due to nonpayment — even though they have been paying for it out of their checks.
According to a letter from Schulte Roth & Zabel, the law firm representing the health care company, the Greenbrier — owned by West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice and his family — is four months delinquent in its contributions to employees' health fund.
The Greenbrier owes “approximately $2.4 million in delinquent contributions with an additional $1.2 million in contributions currently, or soon to be, due and owing,” the firm wrote.
The letter was addressed to Greenbrier CFO and Treasurer Adam Long — who is also Justice's son-in-law — as well as the Mid-Atlantic chapter of the Workers United labor union and a Philadelphia law firm that specializes in defending unions and benefit funds.
It alleged that the Greenbrier — located in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia — has continued to deduct money from employee paychecks for health insurance, but that money hasn’t gone to the health fund. The health care company said if a payment is not made, it will stop providing coverage to all Greenbrier employees.
“If payment is not timely made, the Health Fund will suspend health and welfare coverage to all of the Greenbrier’s covered employees,” the letter said.
Peter Bostic, chair of the Greenbrier Council of Labor Unions, said unions are pursuing every legal option available to seek a resolution for the employees.
“Greenbrier['s] delinquency has put our members’ healthcare benefits in severe jeopardy and is morally and legally wrong,” Bostic said in a statement. “Our members have met their obligation by working hard every day and paying their portion to the Greenbrier.”
The Greenbrier is scheduled to be sold at auction on the Greenbrier County courthouse steps next week to settle a delinquent debt owed by Justice.
West Virginia Public Broadcasting reached out to the Greenbrier Hotel Corporation, Long, as well as Schulte Roth & Zabel. None of those people or entities responded to requests for comment.
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