Weirton Medical Center union workers averted a strike on Saturday after voting to accept a three-year contract agreement with the hospital.

The Service Employee International Union Local 1199 previously said they would implement a five-day work stoppage beginning on Oct. 16 as a result of a contract dispute.

In a news release, WMC President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Joseph P. Endrich said, "This is a good result for everyone: Weirton Medical Center, the employees and the community. We were able to work through the extremely difficult issues of the implementation of a wage scale for our employees as well as mechanism for dealing with increasing health care costs. I am very pleased that we have been able to accomplish this within our anticipated budget and at the same time avoid the disruption of a work stoppage."

The union has about 575 members at the hospital and includes nurses' aides as well as service, maintenance and technical workers. Weirton Medical Center registered nurses are not represented by a union.

The union has about 575 members at the hospital and includes nurses' aides as well as service, maintenance and technical workers. Weirton Medical Center registered nurses are not represented by a union.

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-Renee Cardelli, NEWS9