Directors' pay raises ire

By Dan Hilborn
Published Jan. 8, 2005


The Hospital Employees' Union has kicked up a fuss after learning that the directors of B.C.'s six health authorities received more than $2.2 million in fees and expenses over the past two years.

According to documents filed by the health authorities, the 60 board members - including nine from the Fraser Health Authority - received a total of $1,063,418 in fees and expenses for the fiscal year ending March 13, 2004, down slightly from the $1,145,103 paid out in the previous year.

In the Fraser Health Authority, a total of $165,500 was paid out in remuneration, and another $8,813 was paid out in expenses for the 2003/04 year.

Board chair Barry Forbes received the highest amount, $27,750 remuneration and another $2,313 in expenses.

The lowest total of the local health authority directors was $15,750 paid out to David MacLean, the only health authority director who did not remit for expenses.

"It's pretty despicable," said Zorica Bosancic, acting secretary- business manager for the largest health-care union in the province.

"They slashed services, delivered pink slips and pay cuts to thousands of workers in the name of cutting costs, and then spent close to $200,000 remuneration and expenses.

"In the past, the health boards did not take any remuneration unless they had expenses, and that's how it ought to be," she said.

"If they want to work for our community, what are they doing charging a whole lot of dollars to the health care system that is already stretched beyond its means?"

Meanwhile, the government watchdog website www.publiceyeonline.com is touting FHA board member Palbinder Shergill as a possible future B.C. Liberal government appointee to an as-yet-unnamed, public body. "Unfortunately, I have no comment," she told the website operator.