James Wins for St. Clare’s Pensioners

New York Attorney General Letitia James has scored a significant victory for hundreds of former St. Clare’s Hospital workers whose pensions were unlawfully terminated by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany.

In a scathing rebuke, a judge today denied the Diocese’s bid to dismiss claims that it violated its legal responsibilities, leaving many workers without their life savings and unable to retire with dignity. “Hundreds of former St. Clare’s employees – nurses, social workers, lab technicians, and support staff – devoted their lives to caring for others,” AG James stated. “But when the Diocese-controlled board of St. Clare’s unjustly terminated their pension plan, many of them lost their life savings and were left unable to retire.”

AG James sued the Diocese, its leadership, and the St. Clare’s Corporation in May 2022 for their actions that deprived more than 1,100 former employees of their pensions. Today’s decision allows the case against St. Clare’s and the Diocese to proceed to a jury trial, bringing these workers one step closer to justice.

The judge ruled that St. Clare’s breached its contract with its workers by failing to pay their pensions. Additionally, all motions for summary judgment that attempted to dismiss the lawsuit were denied, ensuring the case moves forward.

“Today’s victory allows our case against St. Clare’s and the Diocese to proceed,” said AG James. “It brings these hardworking pensioners one step closer to justice.” The ruling marks a significant win for the workers and a blow to the Diocese, which has been under fire for its management of the pension fund.

This landmark decision is expected to have far-reaching implications for similar cases involving religious institutions and their financial obligations to employees. It sends a clear message that even those in positions of power are not above the law when it comes to protecting workers’ rights.

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