Union launches effort to cap pay of El Camino Hospital executives

http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_19925315

By Jason Green

Daily News Staff Writer
Posted: 02/09/2012 06:02:37 AM PST
Updated: 02/09/2012 06:02:43 AM PST

The union that represents 1,200 El Camino Hospital workers formally kicked off an effort Wednesday to qualify a measure for the November ballot that would slash the pay of the health care provider's top brass.

The proposed measure stands to affect as many as nine executives who each make more than $200,000 a year, not counting bonuses. One of the top earners is recently appointed CEO Tomi Ryba, who is to be paid at least $695,000. The Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West-backed initiative says paychecks should be limited to twice the salary of the governor.

Last year, Gov. Jerry Brown drew a paycheck of nearly $174,000, according to published reports.

Members of the union claim the effort is intended to ensure money collected from local taxpayers isn't funneled into exorbitant salaries. The private, nonprofit corporation receives between $5 million and $9 million annually from a 1 percent property tax, according to hospital officials, though the union contends the figure is closer to $16 million.

FULL story at link.