Union Questions OHSU Executive Pay

Research Workers United, the new union for Oregon Health & Science University research staff, expressed concern about recent executive departures during a meeting with the university's board of trustees last week. The labor group secured a contract earlier this year that guarantees a base wage of at least $23.18 per hour for its members, with some earning significantly more. While the agreement also includes a $50,000 hardship fund for employees facing financial distress, the union leaders pointed to a large payout for former senior leadership as a source of friction.

The timeline of recent exits includes the departure of Alice Cuprill Comas, the former chief legal officer. According to a public records request, OHSU paid Cuprill Comas a $1.8 million settlement in October, a sum equal to two years of her salary. This payment was tied to what the university described as her retirement. The union noted that this amount is equivalent to providing a $600 payment to 3,000 employees. In a letter to the board, union leaders stated that their review of hardship fund applications showed how meaningful modest assistance can be, making the large settlement difficult to reconcile.

Between June and September, 140 union members collectively requested more than $77,000 from the hardship fund. Union leaders told the board they appreciated OHSU releasing the next tranche of money early to meet this demand. However, the timing of the executive payouts has raised questions about internal spending priorities. The union’s correspondence emphasized that the $1.8 million figure stands out against the context of recent employee financial needs.

Cuprill Comas was not the only executive to leave recently. Bridget Barnes, the longtime chief information officer, elected to retire on September 11. Separately, Emily Shults, who served as Cuprill Comas’ deputy in the legal department, departed on September 25. Public records show that both Barnes and Shults received separation packages equivalent to nine months’ salary. OHSU did not specify the exact dollar amount of those salaries in response to questions, though prior records indicate Barnes earned approximately $631,000 in 2023.

An OHSU spokesperson stated that the institution is continually looking for ways to invest in its employees. The university said one method of doing this is ensuring staff are paid competitively. Neither Barnes nor Shults responded to requests for comment regarding their departures or compensation packages.