(MOBILE, Ala.) Some USA employees will be getting a bonus before the end of the year, but not everyone.
On Thursday, the Board of Trustees approved a one-time, three percent bonus, or no less than $1500, for employees at the University. The Board did not approve a permanent salary increase.
Health system employees were not given a bonus.
Moments before the decision was made, USA radiology specialist Vanessa Brown stood up and voiced her sadness and disappointment.
"I'm thinking about the people making $20,000 to $30,000 a year. They were looking forward to a bonus for their children," said Brown.
"It doesn't fall on deaf ears, I can assure you that," said Board Chairman Jim Yance.
"I am just upset. I'm speaking for all the employees and still I'm being fed with we don't have and we can't do. It's just not enough," said Brown.
So why give to one side and not the other?
"Because the funding is separate. We'd basically be asking parents who pay tuition to fund a supplement on the hospital side," said Yance.
Yance said a bonus isn't logical given the uncertainty in the healthcare system nationwide.
"There are so many unknowns with the implementation of Obamacare. The state doesn't even know what approach they'll take with medicaid," Yance said.
"We have to provide a healthcare system that is among other things, sustainable," said trustee John Peek.
But Vanessa Brown isn't buying it.
"If we don't get a raise, so what, we haven't in five years. At least you can give us a little, like $500 or $1,000 bonus," said Brown.
Kendell Iko feels the same way.
"I don't think it's fair. I know I'm putting my job in jeopardy right now but it's not fair. I don't know how Moulton can look at himself in the mirror every morning. He denied something to people who save lives. If it wasn't for these people, he wouldn't be alive," said Iko.
She expressed her disgust last week when she mailed back a Christmas card sent from President Gordon Moulton.
"On the card I called him Mr. Grinch. If you want to know where the Grinch is he's at South Alabama campus," said Iko.
President Moulton was unable to attend the Board of Trustees meeting for medical reasons.
He is eligible for the three percent bonus, which with a $500,000 salary, would be $15,000.
