Union leader upset with Forum Health pay proposal for Buzz Pishkur

YOUNGSTOWN — After years of persuading members to accept contract concessions, union leaders are outraged at Forum Health’s proposal to pay up to $9,000 a week to its former chief executive.

“We’re just stunned. We’re flabbergasted,” said Tom Connelly, who represents about 400 nurses at Trumbull Memorial Hospital.

The financially strapped health-care system is proposing that Walter “Buzz” Pishkur, who resigned last month, stay on as a consultant and be paid through May 31 unless the health system is sold.

“Mr. Pishkur said that everyone needed to take a hit, and then he walks out of here with $288,000 in unearned money,” said Connelly, president of Local 2026 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

For the complete story, see Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com