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Uploaded: Friday, December 28, 2012, 1:29 PM
Uncertainty ahead for El Camino Hospital
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by Nick Veronin
Mountain View Voice Staff
This year at El Camino Hospital, a long-running feud between district administrators and the hospital's major union was mostly resolved, while the November elections brought two significant changes -- including new, reform-minded district board members and the passage of a controversial initiative, which, if implemented, could cap the amount the hospital would legally be allowed to pay its employees.
Union agreement
Back in 2010, all employees were asked to give up certain benefits, and the hospital board imposed a contract on the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers, which the union opposed. There were many items of contention, but chief among them was the elimination of a health care plan that was free for union members.
That option was restored in September when the union signed a three-year contract with the hospital.
Measure M
Though the union's top officials dispute this claim and hospital administrators remain mum on the topic, it would appear that the threatened passage of Measure M -- a salary cap that limits executive pay to twice that of the governor of California's salary -- played a major role in forcing the reinstatement of the free health care benefit.
Kary Lynch, an SEIU-UHW steward and psychiatric technician for the hospital, told another newspaper that the measure was merely a "bargaining chip" and that the union backed off pushing the initiative after it was restored in the new contract.
Whether that is true -- and union officials insist it is not -- Measure M passed anyway, and now the hospital is looking into ways to block the initiative. Hospital spokeswoman Chris Ernst said that if the hospital were forced to abide by Measure M, it would be impossible to attract top talent and the hospital would suffer as a result. Currently, the hospital's legal team is trying to determine whether the measure is even legal.
New directors
In addition to passing Measure M, on Nov. 6 voters re-elected incumbent hospital director John Zoglin and newcomers Julia Miller and Dennis Chiu, and turned down incumbent Wes Alles, as well as Bill James, who failed to win a seat in the 2002 election. One seat was open in the election -- that of Uwe Kladde, who left the hospital's corporation and district boards earlier in the year for personal reasons.
While the two newcomers, Chiu and Miller, do not represent a majority of the board, they will be able to propose and second motions to be heard in public meetings. This fact is not insignificant, as both have pledged to bring reform to El Camino. Both have said they want to see ECH take more steps to improve transparency -- both in the way decisions are made and how money is spent. Chiu also believes the hospital is interpreting a law -- the Gann Appropriations Limit -- incorrectly, and that the organization might be able to pour more of its profits into community benefit projects.Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.
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Posted by the_punnisher, a resident of the Whisman Station neighborhood, on Dec 28, 2012 at 2:23 pm When I was in their ( not so ) tender care, I saw several items that need to be talked about openly:
Cutbacks on needed supplies and and maintenance.
I got a farewell gift of C-Diff that my health provider had to cure OVER THE TELEPHONE because she didn't want to have me be a vector introducing it to Colorado hospitals...
Reconsider that the Rota-Care facility be moved off the hospital grounds.
Like it or not, that facility is a feature of the reason Santa Clara County is known as SANTA CLAUS County south of the border.
I have other issues, but this e-paper will censor them as they do not want them aired....
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Posted by PH, a resident of another community, on Dec 28, 2012 at 3:43 pm I have no problem with the care and medical expertise of ECH. Things happen, Punisher, and while I understand your situation, you are in the very small minority of people who complain about this excellent hospital we are fortunate to have. This hospital is a growing entity with problems that are compounded by the way it exists and operates in its role as a community hospital. I believe that there is a clear vision to become a cutting edge and world reknowned facility with the best it can give us in health care. The problems that need to be solved are mainly in the way the people running the business seem to have forgotten that they are only as good as the people that work with them. Every person who is employeed at ECH needs a wage and benefit package that allows them to do more than just pay their bills. No one seems to be ready to admit that the pay and benefits just don't allow people to get ahead if they are not in the top earning positions of the hospital. At the same time the citizens have shown their opinion of paying executives at the top so much by passing Measure M at the polls. This may not be a legal or practical solution, but it at least brings the issue to the table and puts it into the public forum as it should be. What I never can understand is the refusal of executives in so many businesses to see that while they are making so much, many of those working for them can barely pay their bills and have no extra for emergencies or the future. Can't they comprimise a little? Do they really have to have so much and do they really think people are better employees when they are always living in a stressful situation where they don't know what the future holds and they don't even have a chance to retire and enjoy a few good years. Why do we have to pass measures to get our message across instead of voluntary self cuts in pay and reaching out to employees to better understand their problems? This problem is not unique to ECH, but is common in our countries business models and has led to the economic problems that could ruin a great nation. It sure would be nice to see ECH as a leader in the economic recovery instead of doing business the same old way.
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Posted by Naren, a resident of the Rex Manor neighborhood, on Dec 31, 2012 at 1:03 am Thank you for this information.It is really informative and helpful for the people.
Regards:Best Hospital India
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