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Debra Moore, president of United Electrical Workers (UE) Local 160 in Williamsburg, was recently fired by Virginia’s Eastern State Hospital. After working unpopular weekend shifts for three years, Moore was abruptly given a weekday schedule in January. Moore, a single mother, was unable to balance work and the care of her two sons when the hospital changed her work schedule.

Unlike other employees Moore was told she could not trade shifts. Although she continued to work more than forty hours on the weekends, she missed weekday shifts and was soon fired for accrued unplanned leave.

Under hospital policy, the missed shifts should not have counted against Moore because of the other hours she was working. Additionally, she claims some of the unplanned leave was covered by the Family Medical Leave Act.

Members of UE Local 160 and a number of community allies agree with her. They have launched a campaign supporting Moore and calling for her reinstatement. They are asking concerned workers and supporters to contact Virginia Governor Tim Kaine and State Mental Health Commissioner James Reinhard to demand that Debra Moore be immediately reinstated and compensated for all lost wages. Governor Kaine can be reached at 804-786 2211 or tkaine@governor.virginia.gov. Commissioner Reinhard can be reached at 804-786 3921 or james.reinhard@co.dmhmrsas.virginia.gov. For further information contact UE Local 160 at 888-868-6466.

Expiration Date:
Tue, 08/08/2006 - 5:00pm