BECKLEY -- Almost a year after nurses went on strike at two local hospitals - union representatives they're getting paid for the time they were off the job.

The courts have granted more than 200 nurses with The West Virginia Nurses Association unemployment money.

It's for the period they were on strike at Appalachian Regional Healthcare's two local hospitals.

The union and its lawyers have been fighting for the compensation since the strike.

Union officials say the decision is historic and sets a precedent for similar cases.