Forum Health's top executive, Walter Pishkur, is optimistic about the future of the health care system.
Although he would not give specific numbers, he says for the first time in two and a half years, all three hospitals posted positive operating margins in April.
He also believes Forum will reach agreements with its unions by Friday's deadline. "If we cannot reach an agreement, we will ask the court to reject the agreements and try to negotiate or the court can impose the outcomes," Pishkur said.
Becky Williams, President of SEIU District 1199, says it is impossible for her union to have an agreement worked out by Friday because no meetings are scheduled until later this month.
Williams is also critical of what she says are bonuses given to Forum executives, including $25,000 Pishkur received in October. "Handing out bonuses of $20,000 to $50,000 is alot when we have workers who don't make that in the entire year," Williams said.
However, Pishkur says the bonuses were given before the health care system entered bankruptcy. "My bonus is totally different and I don't know why people call it a bonus. I left an organization in mid-year. I left a bunch of items on the table," Pishkur said. "I made a transition and my bonus is more geared to making that transition. It's part of my salary."
The unions disagree.
