MARTINS FERRY, OHIO — Employees at East Ohio Regional Hospital (EORH) remained unpaid Tuesday despite repeated assurances from leadership that efforts were underway to resolve the issue. The hospital, which missed its scheduled Friday payroll, has yet to disperse staff paychecks, prompting growing frustration among workers.
Hospital owner Dr. John Johnson sent an email last week assuring employees that they would be paid on or before Tuesday, March 11, promising that all available cash flow was being directed toward payroll distribution and benefits. However, on Tuesday afternoon, Johnson sent a follow-up message stating he had been “unsuccessful” in meeting the promised deadline.
The payroll delays have forced several employees to stop reporting to work, exacerbating concerns over the hospital’s operational stability.
Belmont County Treasurer Kathy Kelich previously said that hospital leadership has reached an agreement with the county to address $1.2 million in delinquent property taxes. Under the new arrangement, EORH will make monthly payments of $33,732.14 over a 36-month period.
The city of Martins Ferry has already made an initial payment toward the contract using funds from a 2018 agreement with EORH LLC, which returns 75% of the income taxes paid by hospital employees to the city.
Amid growing discontent and not receiving their wages, hospital employees have organized a protest outside the facility scheduled for Wednesday, March 12 at 11 a.m.
As the hospital faces these financial and operational challenges, employees and community members continue to demand prompt action to resolve the payroll crisis and ensure that the hospital can sustainably operate.
