Montana Workers File Lawsuits Against Medical Provider

Six lawsuits have been filed against Partnership Health Center in Missoula, Mont. by workers contending they were forced to work off the clock without pay, full-time workers being replaced with part-timers who don’t get benefits, and an abusive boss.

The Missoulian reported in a story on Sunday that the recent lawsuits have been filed by a physician, dentist, pharmacist and other staff members who earn from $12.36 an hour to $114,000 a year.

Partnership’s medical and dental clinic employs about 120 workers who treat the uninsured and underinsured and is a division of the Missoula City-County Health Department. Director Ellen Leahy says she can’t comment on pending litigation.

A number of the lawsuits refer Kim Mansch, Partnership’s executive director.

The lawsuits describe Mansch as so harsh in her drive to save money that the workplace is intolerable.