Union petitions court to prevent WAPA from charging employees $500 for not visiting doctor annually

ST. CROIX — A union representing employees of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority has petitioned the Superior Court to review a decision and order of the Public Employees Relations Board, prohibit WAPA from seizing a $500 penalty from union members who do not make annual wellness visits with a physician, and direct the Authority to immediately return any wellness penalties seized to date, according to a court document.

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Employees Association Union, Local 602 (WEA) has petitioned the Superior Court, Division of St. Thomas and St. John to review a decision and order the PERB entered on December 20, 2024 in a case between the WEA v. WAPA, according to the petition filed on January 9.

The union claims in its petition that the $500 wellness penalty WAPA implemented in the beginning of 2021 violates the Public Employee Labor Relations Act and its collective bargaining agreement with the Authority that expired June 30, 2021 and continues on a day-to-day basis. The union filed a charge of unfair labor practice on November 22, 2021, seeking redress from the PERB for the alleged violations and an injunction.