May 3rd, 2011
In The News: Assemblyman Alejo calls for SVMH audit
From The Monterey County Herald: Criticizes executive salaries By JIM JOHNSON Herald Staff Writer New state assemblyman Luis Alejo is calling for a state audit of the Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System finances because of alleged mismanagement. But hospital district administrators dismissed the allegations as part of a campaign by the National Union of Healthcare Workers, […]
May 3rd, 2011
Hospital exec’s $4M retirement package blasted
From the Associated Press: Posted: 05/03/2011 08:19:14 AM PDT SALINAS, Calif.—Officials at a public hospital district in Salinas are coming under fire after awarding their former CEO nearly $4 million in retirement payments in addition to his regular $150,000-a-year pension. State Assemblyman Luis Alejo of Watsonville says the retirement package for Samuel Downing, the former chief […]
May 3rd, 2011
Assembly panel may review $4-million retirement package
From The Los Angeles Times: Legislators seek to audit payments augmenting pension for Samuel Downing, former chief of the Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare District. One lawmaker calls them ‘unconscionable.’ By Sam Allen A state Assembly panel next week will consider launching an audit of a public hospital district in Salinas that awarded its retiring chief […]
May 3rd, 2011
NUHW Supports Assemblymember Alejo’s Request for Financial Audit of Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital
Statement from the National Union of Healthcare Workers: The Los Angeles Times reports today that last week, Assemblymember Luis Alejo requested a state financial audit of Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital. According to a letter by Alejo, the purpose of the audit request is to investigate fiscal mismanagement by SVMH’s Board of Directors, and the diversion of hospital […]
April 30th, 2011
LA Times Editors: Big pension in little Salinas
By the Los Angeles Times editorial board: Yet another local government agency in California is under fire for the seemingly outsized compensation paid to one of its employees. This time the spotlight is on the Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System and its recently retired chief executive, Samuel Downing. The controversy isn’t Downing’s $150,000 annual pension as much […]