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Published on 02/09/1998 All articles from this issue

New compensation plan OK'd for non-union El Camino Hospital employees

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By Carol Tiegs / Town Crier Staff Writer

The El Camino Hospital Board of Directors unanimously approved a new benefits and compensation plan for non-union hospital employees at its Feb. 11 meeting.

The two-phase approach recommended by the hospital's administrator and chief executive officer, Richard Warren, includes general salary range adjustments estimated at $774,581 and pay-for-performance adjustments estimated at $726,000.

Warren detailed a systematic effort by Camino Healthcare Organization, which controlled the hospital at the time, to reduce benefits and compensation for non-union hospital employees beginning in September 1994.

Camino Healthcare eliminated cost-of-living increases and weekend differential pay, Warren said. A pay-for-performance system promised to employees by Camino Healthcare to replace lost step increases in salary was not implemented, he said.

The salary situation resulted in "disparity and friction between non-bargaining and bargaining unit employees due to inequality of benefit packages and (hurt) essential recruitment efforts for new employees," Warren said.

"We are continuing to experience difficulty recruiting new employees because they can receive higher pay and benefits with other health care employers," he said.

When the plan is complete it will return the limit on paid time off to 500 hours from 300, increase paid time off accrual rates by 7 percent, and increase the weekend shift differential by 10 percent. Health insurance contributions will increase from 80 to 90 percent of cost. The first phase of the plan will be effective this month; the second phase takes effect in July.

"The increases necessary to accommodate the fiscal year 1997-98 portions of the plan were included in the current approved hospital budget," Warren said.

Board member Mark O'Connor called the plan "just and fair" in moving for its adoption.

"This redresses an injustice on employees most vulnerable and least able to protect themselves," said board president Dr. Paul Hoar.