BECKLEY — A Raleigh County employee is suing a West Virginia public utility and the county commission, alleging violations of the West Virginia Wage Payment and Collection Act and the West Virginia Human Rights Act.
Ronald Dillon II filed a complaint in Raleigh Circuit Court against the Raleigh County Public Service District and the Raleigh County Commission, alleging they reclassified his employment status and reduced/erased some of his benefits.
According to the complaint, on Sept. 1, 2017, following the takeover of Glen White-Trap Hill PSD by the Raleigh County Public Service District, Dillon, a veteran employee, was placed on a probationary status as a new hire, consequently erasing his seniority and accrued sick leave days.
The plaintiff alleges the defendants had no established written work policy regarding fringe benefits after the merger. In addition, the suit says, the defendants' de facto termination of Dillon on factors including but not limited to his age constitutes discrimination.
Dillon seeks trial by jury, back pay and benefits, compensatory damages, punitive damages, reinstatement or front pay, court costs and attorney fees and all other damages allowed by West Virginia law. He is represented by attorneys Stephen P. New and Stacey L. Fragile of Law Office of Stephen New in Beckley.
Raleigh Circuit Court case number 18-c-493