Letters to the editor, June 3, 2009

Poor timing on raise, bonus for hospital CEO
Anacortes or Wall Street? It is indeed tough times for the Island Hospital employees who received furlough notices. What a boost to their morale and that of the rest of the staff to see their pay cut and the CEO get a nice raise and bonus.…

Back to the story


You must be logged in to comment. Login / Register (FREE!)


Comments are opinions of the author only, and do not reflect the opinions or views of Skagit Publishing.
Please view our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for further details.


5 comments


Page 1 of 1

tea_time

June 04, 2009 - 10:19 AM | Comment # 5236 |

Very well said, Ms. Allen

tulip5

June 06, 2009 - 03:06 PM | Comment # 5337 |

I won’t comment on the appropriateness of Mr. Oliver’s bonus. However, there is a lot of misinformation out there with regards to this story that I think should be addressed.

Here are the facts: No employees at Island Hospital have received a cut in their pay rate. Instead, all non-essential (non patient care) employees have been told that they’ll need to take three mandatory vacation days (around the holidays). This doesn’t amount to a pay cut, as is widely reported.

The fact is that Island Hospital, under the leadership of Mr. Oliver, has managed to avoid slashing positions as Skagit Valley Hospital has.

tea_time

June 06, 2009 - 03:27 PM | Comment # 5341 |

Non-essential?  Isn’t every employee at a hospital either directly or indirectly involved in patient care?  Wow - just continue to the insults! And, at a $211,000 annual salary, if the CEO were told he had to take 3 mandatory unpaid days, that would be a savings for the hospital of over $1700!  But instead, the lowly hourly workers are asked to give up $45,000 so over 50% of that “savings” can be placed in Oliver’s wallet.  No matter how you try to spin it, its just not good.

tulip5

June 06, 2009 - 03:53 PM | Comment # 5344 |

Again, I’m not addressing the appropriateness of Mr. Oliver’s bonus but rather the misinformation out there, which is:

1. FALSE STATEMENT: Island Hospital employees took a pay cut this year. This is simply not true. Island Hospital employees received a 2% pay raise this year.
2. FALSE STATEMENT: Vacation days will be unpaid. On the contrary: while employees will be required to take three extra vacation days in 2009, they are paid days off. The hospital saves money this way because vacation expenses are accrued at the time they are earned, rather than when they are taken. So the hospital saves money when an employee takes time off. Bottom line: it is totally misleading to call these days “mandatory unpaid days”. The employee is paid in full for time taken as vacation.

Just to clarify: “Non-essential” is a technical term that refers to those in the support staff. They do not deal directly with patients. It is not a qualitative term, as all employees are needed for the hospital to function properly.

This is not spin. It is truth.

tea_time

June 06, 2009 - 04:16 PM | Comment # 5345 |

The hospital saves money this way because vacation expenses are accrued at the time they are earned, rather than when they are taken.

That is an absolute definition that does not take into account all the variables on both the administrative side and the employee side.  If employees need other days off during the year but have been forced to spend them, then that will result in forced unpaid days, for example.  Basically, is a forced vacation really a vacation?

“Non-essential” is a technical term that refers to those in the support staff.

Technical terms can still be a slap in the face, support staff are very much needed for patient care.  Is Vince Oliver therefore “non-essential” because he doesn’t provide direct patient care?  By that definition, yes.

Page 1 of 1




More Local News

Top Jobs

Established medical office seeks Medical Records Clerk/Receptionist. Must be flex. Position also covers sick & vacation days. You must have computer, customer service and professional telephone skills. Applicant must be neat in appearance, pleasant, reliable, organized, energetic and able to multi-task. Previous medical exp. is helpful but not nec. Send resume to: bonniec-mvwc @verizon.net or File #676 c/o Skagit Valley Herald, PO Box 578, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.


PROGRAM MANAGER developmentally disabled adults. Responsible for the overall day-to-day functioning of this supported living program. The Manager participates in hiring staff, training staff, scheduling of staff. BA or equiv plus 2 yrs working with the people we serve in a residential setting. At least 2-3 yrs. experience as a supervisor + direct service. Volunteers of America Western Washington is a private non-profit human service agency serving the disabled in Skagit County. Come be a part of what we do and make a difference every day. EEO/AA If you wish to apply for this position, send a resume to bdavis@voaww.org or come to 1934 E. College Way, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.


Housekeeping/Laundry Experience preferred but will also train. Must be available days, weekends and holidays. $10.50 - $12.50 DOQ Join our team and enjoy a full complement of benefits including medical and life insurance at no charge to the employee, dental, paid sick leave, paid vacation, paid holidays, and a 401K plan. Must be able to pass a background check and a 90 day drug screen. For more info., please contact Human Resources at 360-724-0265 or visit our website: www.theskagit.com Human Resources Hours: M-F, 8am to 5pm Directions: North or southbound - Take I-5 to Exit 236


Youth Center Staff Supervisor The Swinomish Tribal Community Recreation/ Prevention Department is looking for a dynamic and competent individual who is experienced as a Youth Center Staff Supervisor. The Youth Center Supervisor plans, and does the total duties of a Prevention/Recreation Assistant. This position provides leadership to the other assistants when the Coordinator is out of the office. The Swinomish Tribal Community is a positive and friendly work environment. This is a full-time position with full health insurance benefits. Salary is DOQ. Request a Swinomish Tribal Community application and Job Description by calling 360-466-1216 or e-mail wbill@swinomish.nsn.us. Return cover letter, resume, and application to Wayne Bill, Human Resource Director as soon as possible. Send application packet to; Swinomish Tribal Community, Human Resource Office, 11404 Moorage Way, LaConner, WA. 98257


STYLIST for AVEDA SALON AND SPA. Commission. 1019 Cleveland St., MV 336-2985


REFINERY OPERATOR Tesoro is currently seeking to fill the position of Refinery Operator at its Anacortes facility. An Operator monitors and controls refinery process equipment while working a rotating 12-hour shift, often outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. This can be a physically/mentally challenging job requiring mechanical ability and a basic understanding of physical sciences and chemistry. In addition, candidates must possess a positive work ethic, good communications and teamworking skills and have the willingness to take personal responsibility for the safety of themselves and others. Along with a dynamic work environment, Tesoro offers an excellent compensation and benefits package. Starting wage will be $21.38 per hour that will initially increase to $25.59 after successful completion of training. Employment applications (one application per person) can be obtained at the Work Source Skagit, 2005 E. College Way, in Mount Vernon during the hours 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., on November 24, 25, and 30, 2009, or until a maximum of 300 applications has been distributed. No applications will be faxed or mailed. You must apply in person. All applicants will be tested on Saturday, December 5, 2009, for basic skills and aptitude. Additional information will be provided with the application. Telephone inquiries and mail-in applications will not be accepted. Successful candidates for employment will be required to pass a substance abuse screening (drug and alcohol), physical agility tests, and complete a physical exam. Tesoro Refining and Marketing Company 10200 W. March Point Rd. Anacortes, WA 98221 Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V


LIVE-IN CAREGIVER. Room and board furnished. Clean, cook, secretarial, farm management. Integrity required. 360-873-9600


FARMERS INSURANCE AGENT We are looking for career motivated people to join our team. Join our team full time or train while you keep your current job to ensure a comfortable transition into the industry. Take advantage of top notch training, unlimited income potential, and the flexibility our company offers. Call Michael Dame at (360) 714 8117 x204 or email resume to mdame@farmersagent.com