Readers commented on a Journal News/LoHud.com analysis of Westchester Medical Center executive pay (it went up, surprise!) amid staff cuts and budget crises. Here’s what they said:
Clearly based on this article and the many complaints made by the hospital employees over at least the last 3 years, as well as in a recent Public Hearing held by the Westchester County Board of Legislators, changes are needed at the Westchester Medical Center. Besides a change in attitude by the administrators, the entire hospital board …— Carime DiBattista, via LoHud.com
How can these institutions lay off the necessary skilled employees such as nurses and at the same time accept a raise on their already ridiculously high compensation. … It is the skilled employee that matters most. He or she is the one administering care and keeping the institution clean, effective and operational. …
— Jeff Meyer, via LoHud.com
I always thought there was only three phrases in the world that was guaranteed to be total BS and elicit smirks and belly laughs from everyone within earshot, such as ‘the check’s in the mail’. And today I submit that a fourth has emerged to take its place alongside the original three … ‘We can’t pay him less than competitors.’
— Al Trudeau, via LoHud.com
A Commentary, ‘Public pensions better our society,’ from a retired Yonkers teacher, posited the idea that pensions aren’t the problem; the lack of pensions is the real issue. Readers said:
Private companies were sent into chapter 11 in part by the union benefits which were negotiated. Sure it would be great if everyone had a pension, but that safety net was supposed to be social security. Most people have lost their defined benefits, except those in the public sector. I for one think that every public worker should retire after all their years on service with a large intact 401k, not a monthly check from poor taxpayers.— Mark Mishebow, via LoHud.com
… Sorry but the golden goose is cooked. We simply do not have enough contributors anymore…
— Adam Damiano
