U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., has called for a state investigation into Ellwood City (Pa.) Hospital, which has failed to give employees their paychecks on at least six occasions, New Castle News reports.
In a Jan. 9 letter to the U.S. Department of Labor's wage and hour division, Mr. Kelly asks department officials to investigate the situation "to ensure these employees are fairly compensated for their work," the report states.
He noted in the letter that he has received several complaints from employees, and that their paychecks have been delayed or bounced on at least six occasions, even after the hospital laid off 25 percent of staff in September 2018. Other media sources have reported at least nine instance of paycheck issues at Ellwood City Hospital.
"This situation is making it difficult for hospital employees, vendors and contractors to pay their own bills. My hard-working constituents deserve financial certainty, so I urge you to ensure that they receive their paychecks in a timely manner," he wrote.
The last paycheck employees received was for the pay period that ended Dec. 21. Employees received that check on Jan. 4, according to the report.
Ellwood City Hospital officials met with a U.S. Department of Labor representative on Jan. 7 to discuss solutions for the hospital's cash flow issues.
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