A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

Tony James is living the high life, why won't he share? - PenelopeD23

Posted: Jul 31, 2010

I just don't get it. Tony James led Spheris right into bankruptcy, and he is rewarded with the position of co-COO of MedQuist with a salary of 270k plus a 50% bonus if he meets his goals for the year? Are they kidding? We constantly take pay cuts so these people can live in their ivory towers...and our backs are their steps to get up there.

When greed meets karma, it ain't gonna be pretty. It is just sad to know that people are barely getting by out here in the MLS world, and people like him are rewarded. Good job, Mr. James. Good for you.

previous CEO lead Spheris astray... - not Tony James...

[ In Reply To ..]
Tony did not lead Spheris into bankruptcy; he lead Spheris THROUGH the bankruptcy. The company slipped financially under longtime CEO S. Simpson. Then D. Kohl was brought in to "restructure" and clean things up. Once determined that filing bankruptcy was the only option, the unenviable task of keeping the company afloat in hopes it would be bought versus being totally dismantled was essentially dumped in Tony's lap. He could have jumped ship, but he didn't. Of all the CEOs mentioned here, he deserves kudos in keeping Spheris customer satisfaction up as well as employee spirits up during the upheaval. We couldn't have been in better hands during this transition.

it shoulda went to pot so that the Q didn't get its filthy - hands on it

[ In Reply To ..]
just my opinion

Yeah I don't think they did ya'll a favor by - buying you out.

[ In Reply To ..]
Just the difference between quick and easy or slow and painful end.

I agree. What I think of Steve Simpson cannot be printed - here.

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

Actually.... - PenelopeD23

[ In Reply To ..]
Actually, it was dumped in Dan's lap, too. TJ has made several about-faces during the transition time and left certain departments hanging out to dry. But yeah, you are entitled to believe your opinion that TJ deserves a quarter of a mil for all his hard work, and everyone else deserves to get pay cuts, fired for no reason, etc. The ship is going down. What goes around comes around. :) Anybody who thinks otherwise is living in a dream world. Think your job at "The Q" will last? Don't count on it.

No matter who helmed the "sinking ship"... - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm sure it was no easy task. Dan and Tony both probably did the best they could under the circumstances. Collateral damage (i.e., job loss from streamlining/eliminating redundant positions - especially middle management, etc.) is to be expected in a buyout or merger. It is ultimately at the discretion of the parent company (in this case the buyer-MQ) as to which positions will be cut. I really don't think it's fair to lay all blame of lost jobs at Tony's feet. Heck, even his position was at risk of being eliminated.

Considering the acquisition of Spheris almost doubled MQ's work force, it's not surprising they kept Tony on to continue covering the Spheris side. Obviously, MQ felt his leadership performance worthy of keeping him. As far as suit salaries? I have no idea what is considered the norm. Without really knowing all of the responsibility of the position, I just don't think it's fair to say Mr. James doesn't deserve what he was offered. On the other hand, I don't think it's fair to cut wages either. JMO.

Well, if we doubled the work, I am not getting any - ever since this merge.

[ In Reply To ..]
It has been downhill. The norm for board of directors have been near 500,000 a year plus 50,000 bonuses, etc.

I have a feeling that CBAY will be getting rid of some of the suits and bringing in their own India suits for replacement. Just a matter of time.

doubled "work force" (accounts+MTs), not just work (accounts) for MQ MTs - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
The aquisition brought over both Spheris' accounts AND the MTs covering those accouts. Ergo, double "work force" does not equate to more work to MQ MTs already running out of work (unless they start moving accounts across platforms, in which case they'd probably move the MTs currently on those accounts to the new platform too). Essentially, business as usual.

when a corporation has to cut pay - they should do it

[ In Reply To ..]
for EVERYONE, peons and upper mgmt alike. oh what a concept!

Have any MTs ever though about a group getting - together and picketing these slimeballs?

[ In Reply To ..]
Even 5 MTs picketing outside his house, or the corporate office, are going to draw attention. It would give those MTs a good opportunity to TELL THEIR STORY to any interested passersby. OR, to any interested TV news crew that "just happened" to show up (after being called in advance by the MTs, of course!)

Just talk. Should have gone through with the - union BEFORE CBAY

[ In Reply To ..]
bought out MQ. Did not need that many MT's either for a union, but that was turned down.

Lots of MT's wrote to Glenn Beck, FOX news, all the famous known reporters at CNN, government in Washington, and government in our own states.

Should have gone through with the Union, even though it might not have been THAT GREAT, but better than it is today. I knew a Union would work and why? Because you should have seen all these Indians getting on the board and chewing us out. How do I know they were Indian? Their lingo. That told me they were frightened and it might have stopped CBAY purchasing MQ.

Now I am afraid it is just too late. We had our chance and blew it. Now CBAY is taking over. Just like Kumar's article, he is gearing up for more acquisitions. HE WANTS THE MONEY at our expense.

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