Bismarck Tribune - North Dakota News - Cleaning up needs to continue at WSI

Cleaning up needs to continue at WSI

Dec 01, 2008 - 08:57:26 CST

By DONALD SCHMALENBERGER
Lincoln

I read Tuesday's editorial with a mixture of amusement and horror. The Tribune suggests that Interim CEO Bruce Furness has restored openness and fairness to WSI. Wasn't Mr. Furness in charge of WSI's most recent violation of the state's open meetings law? Wasn't he running things when the whistleblowers were fired? Didn't he allow WSI to a mass millions of dollars in surplus in violation of state law? Didn't he ignore many of the State Auditor's recommendations for cleaning up WSI's practices? Didn't he ignore the Conley Report's recommendation that he replace much of WSI's upper management? In fairness, Mr. Furness raised staff morale at WSI. Of course, when he took over, morale had nowhere to go but up.

The Tribune also suggests that WSI's problems occurred because the legislature was out of town and couldn't provide direction. Actually, Measure Four was enacted because the legislature refused to act when it met in 2007. Measure Four was only a beginning. The work of restoring fairness to the workers comp system goes on. If the legislature does nothing, as suggested by the Tribune, the people of North Dakota can initiate new reforms in 2009. The people didn't create the mess at WSI, but they've shown that they're ready, willing and able to clean it up.

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Printer friendly version Cleaning up needs to continue at WSI

Comments

Gotta Go wrote on Dec 8, 2008 10:39 PM:

" I for one am tired of WSI spending public money as if it were pulled from a Monopoly game. I don't know the names of the executives there and to be perfectly truthful I don't really care. All I know is that they have to go. If the Governor is really going to lead WSI out of this mess then he needs to walk over to that building and start handing out pink slips from the top down. "

Get Out. wrote on Dec 8, 2008 8:04 PM:

" Well Get Real, how about the 2 year benefit cut off? Isn't that fairly unique to ND? Blood money. How about the 10% disability requirement? Unique to ND? WSI gets a Dr. to say sorry, you are only 9% disabled, too bad - no benefits for you. Blood money. Didn't one of your consultants comment on how "conservative" WSI's interprets the law? More blood money. Everything is in WSI's favor, thankfully at least the initiated measure took away the administrative law judge problem. But the Legislature has a lot of things to fix.

Oh, I forget, all injured workers are deadbeats looking for welfare. Merry Christmas, Get Real. "

leo wrote on Dec 8, 2008 7:22 PM:

" One of the intentions of Measure 4 was to end the inflated salaries of WSI management. My, my - the coincidence of raises just before the implementation of the measure... Let's see - someone earning $24,000 a year with a 3% raise receives $720/year - someone earning $100,000 with a 4 to 5% raise - $5000/year. Get Real and Scarlett - whose relatives are you? You seem to know internal WSI policies, or pretend to be knowledgeable. Scarlett - to bad mouth the average employee at WSI while defending management - you have to be related to management, sorry. Long and Grinsteinner only reported what happened - we'll probably find out later this month whether their claims were accurate. I hope all is well in your own worlds. "

Get Real wrote on Dec 8, 2008 1:27 PM:

" This is their annual pay increase time, not some special pay adjustment. All employees at WSI got it. Give me a break people, will you finally let the agency do their job and stop the microscope crackpot review of every move they make. Two other things, one I do not work for the agency and second there is no bloodmoney and any mention of it is factless and inappropriate. "

Scarlett wrote on Dec 8, 2008 1:23 PM:

" Mark Armstrong didn't do anything wrong in my book. Jim Long and Kay Grinsteinner did along with Jodi Bjornson. It's the attorneys that need to be gone!!!!! Then the rest of the cancer - i.e., still the same disgruntled, overpaid, unhappy employees that don't want to work 40 hours a week, etc., etc. Also, the board needs to be gone so the governor can take credit/BLAME for everything. Otherwise he will just be passing the buck to the board again. This is why it should be privatized, not under the governor. "

Camels Back wrote on Dec 8, 2008 8:41 AM:

" This is the straw that broke the camel's back for me. I have watched this WSI issue for a long time without feeling that I need to get active. These 11th hour raises for the crooked and unethical has finally gotten me to the point at which I feel something needs to be done. I am sure there are many like me. Since the Tribune won't do anything about this we will have to do it without the press. The Governor can expect a phonecall from me. "

Jeffries wrote on Dec 7, 2008 11:48 PM:

" As Leo writes, its time to clean the garbage out of WSI. Take the bloated salaried cronies, take the people who were served with search warrants during the recent criminal investigations (that means Mark Armstrong), and take the people who led WSI into the terrible mess that it is in and...... GET...... RID....... OF....... THEM. Please handle this now. We're tired of seeing the waste. "

Facts wrote on Dec 7, 2008 9:59 AM:

" Business as usual at WSI. They won't let the initiated measure stop them from doing whatever they want. Furness and the WSI PR machine has been touting how great the employees and the organization is ever since he arrived. In their minds, the raises are justified. They (management and board) have never felt they've done anything wrong or unethical. Too bad the media is ignoring this story. They should be doing open records requests and looking at dates pay raises have taken effect over the last 3 or so years. Was this one done earlier? "

leo wrote on Dec 7, 2008 5:31 AM:

" It appears that WSI management snuck in a pay raise for most of the WSI employees just before the deadline when Measure 4 took effect. What most WSI employees don't know is they were given peanuts while top management took huge raises. The lack of ethics of top management at WSI really has to be investigated as well as their political supporters. This latest action is a slap in the face to all the rest of the state employees who have to comply with salary increase limitations. Why is it there are a number of WSI management earning over $150,000.00 annually when the Governor and other heads of state agencies earn considerably less? This latest garbage act of WSI has to be reversed. The rest of us have been hit hard by the economy. It is sickening to watch WSI management fatten their salary checks with no response by our government representatives. This is too much!!! "

Right on Tubby wrote on Dec 6, 2008 9:40 AM:

" Pick up the Story! It is a story! "

Tubby wrote on Dec 5, 2008 10:43 PM:

" To Get Real - I just wanted to say congratulations on you getting your big raise right before the Governor took control of WSI. I hope you feel good spending the blood money that you took out of the pockets of we injured workers. Now when I have to decide whether to buy my kids hamburger or milk, you get to decide what type of Rolex to put on your wrist. I hope you don't feel too bad when the ashtrays fill up in your Lambergini. I will have a hard enough time filling up the gas tank on my Hyundai. WSI's executives giving themselves a raise when they should be fired is criminal especially when you will get another pay bump with all the other classified employees. The Tribune needs to pick up and run with these under-the-radar pay raises prior to the Governor taking control. "

Triangle wrote on Dec 5, 2008 4:38 PM:

" Get Real' posted - " To Facts: My high school football team made the USA Today, did that make us real big national news? "

I didn't see anyone referring to it being real big national news. It was national news and it reflects on our state. There isn't much national news on North Dakota. It's too bad it was about this. "

Get Real wrote on Dec 5, 2008 2:35 PM:

" To Facts: My high school football team made the USA Today, did that make us real big national news? "

Facts wrote on Dec 5, 2008 2:01 PM:

" To Get Real: WSI did make USA Today. That's national level, although I did not check MSNBC or CNN. "

Get Real wrote on Dec 5, 2008 8:46 AM:

" To ND Guy: No results for WSI or Workforce Safety & Insurance on MSNBC or CNN. "

leo wrote on Dec 5, 2008 7:15 AM:

" Tubby:

Excellent choice of words. The cancer is indeed still present within the agency and its removal has to be a priority. I personally don't think Mr. Furness is responsible for any of the problems at WSI and I think his presence helped improve conditions there. However, the politics by the Governor's office by arranging Furness' appointment without any intention of correcting the situation by removing some of the management team is irresponsible. It is obvious Governor Hoeven places his own political career as a higher priority than taking the appropriate action to rein in a maverick state agency. "

ND Guy wrote on Dec 5, 2008 6:03 AM:

" To Nd Guy" wrote - " Yeah - ND WSI is really big news in the country right now. Whatever. "

No, it isn't 'really big news' or 'right now' but you wrote that, not me. However, if you don't think the WSI mess made national news through the associated press, you can verify it for yourself in the CNN, MSNBC and other archives. It reflected on our state and people were aware of it. "

Get Real wrote on Dec 4, 2008 8:56 AM:

" Just have to say: you are correct his is now a VP, a position given to him when he sold his business. Read the headline of the link you gave me: Pioneer Drilling Co. (AMEX: PDC) completed the acquisition of Wedge Oil and Gas Services. Great research. This is a typical example of the commenters on this issue, all you talk is half truths, even when they whole truth is right under your nose or in this case in the headline of the article you are using as your "proof" "

Just have to say wrote on Dec 3, 2008 10:45 PM:

" TO Get Real....... you really need to check your facts. I found on another post where you claimed the reason Gjovig is quitting the Board at WSI is because he sold his business. When in all actuality he was the Vice President of US Wireline Operations, not the owner. Check the facts here http://investing.businessweek.com/businessweek/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=40486608 .

So I think before you start spewing things out here that your really not sure of, but want the public to believe double check your facts. Then I also suggest you go read Measure 4, the whole thing not just the caption on the BT. "

Victor wrote on Dec 3, 2008 10:20 PM:

" Get Real, I think you are wrong, Berg says he wants to spend time with his family but his election last time was very close and this was before it became public how much he was covering for WSI, not that is open, he understood what his next re-election was going to be like so he decided to call it quits to save face. You know it, I know it and you always try to deflect the truth about WSI. You can keep it up all you want but there have been many for the last 3+ years who's posts have proved true about the incompetence at WSI under the Blunt regime and the CYA by the Republican legislature. Keep living in your dream world "

First Off wrote on Dec 3, 2008 5:17 PM:

" To Get Real ......Get a Clue!! You seem to be lost on reality, and need to start reading facts, instead of fiction. Your research lacks true information, I could only hope that you will actually put out links to these statements you have made here. Until then keep your desk job at WSI. "

Get Real wrote on Dec 3, 2008 3:54 PM:

" To HOLY COW:
You are wrong on a number of issues. First there were no members of the board at the meeting in question. In fact no one really know who was all at the meeting, furthermore I have never understood the importance of this meeting. Legislators meet with agencies and constituents/lobbyists all the time.
Second, Bergs decision not to run for leader or re-election has nothing to do with WSI. "

To NDguy wrote on Dec 3, 2008 1:45 PM:

" Yeah - ND WSI is really big news in the country right now. Whatever. "

ND Guy wrote on Dec 2, 2008 5:51 AM:

" Well, at least more people have become aware of North Dakota through this WSI fiasco. Although being known by others around the nation for bungling and questionable ethics in state government is not something I am proud of. "

leo wrote on Dec 1, 2008 9:42 PM:

" Jeez:

If issues had not been repeatedly been brought to everyone's attention, Blunt and crew would still be operating. It took pit bull determination by some to get the attention of the politicians and North Dakotans. It seems if justice is to be served, keep pounding on the issue until someone listens. 200,000 ND voters agreed that WSI was out of control. Measure 4 will begin the healing process this week. "

Tubby wrote on Dec 1, 2008 9:12 PM:

" Good letter. Anyone who thinks WSI is anywhere close to being fixed while much of the cancer still collects a state paycheck is fooling themselves. If the governor was a true leader he would immediately cut Furness, Halverson, and the rest of the kangaroo court. WSI is an abomination and the Tribune's unwarrented love affair of Furness is just gross. "

Just Amazing wrote on Dec 1, 2008 7:12 PM:

" To: I Am NO Fan of Furness

I think you need to check your facts before you spout off a timeline that you can not get correct. Then it might be a timeline you want others to believe. "

Just have to say wrote on Dec 1, 2008 6:46 PM:

" You are right the mess is still at WSI, and must be cleaned up. In addition, the legislature must act this year and prove they are willing to make necessary changes needed to improve quality of life for the injured workers. Measure four spoke loud and clear that at least sixty-seven percent of the public is demanding change. That sixty-seven percent is going to be voting again in 2010, so I would keep that in the back of my mind if I were up for election in 2010.

To Jeez if you are tired of reading this type of news, and opinions maybe you should just turn the page, or demand more change so you do not hear about this issue anymore. As Donald Schmalenberger has stated here Measure four was basically just the start of the housecleaning that needs to be done at WSI. Now in a few days this will go back under the governor, and the future whistleblowers will have state protection as they should have had beforehand. The only ones in state government not wanting WSI to go back under state laws are possible the ones bailing out of this agency one at a time. You might want to ask yourself why so many are leaving so fast. "

HOLY COW wrote on Dec 1, 2008 5:22 PM:

" In order to believe that WSI's board was not involved in politics you need to believe in the Easter Bunny, be a current or former board member or be friends or related to one or be one of the Blunt supporters with nothing better to do. Did the board's chair meet secretly with any Democrats last session? I doubt it, yet there they were with the likes of the Republican chair, blind WSI legislators Wald and Keiser, Scates and the state's chamber head plotting a PR campaign. The Board had literally nothing to do with the financial success of WSI (read the independent report issued) and it (like it's constant supporter the Chamber) was affected and impacted by politics. The real issue is what will this legislature do about things to improve them for the injured worker and the WSI employees? They can expect another "slap in the face" (aka initiated measure) if they act as irresponsibly as they did last time. I'm going to predict Keiser might lose his chairmanship of the committee that oversees WSI as a result of his mismanagement of this issue and don't kid yourself, it affect Berg's desire to continue to serve also. His support from his own party waivered as a result. No politics in the board...........uh huh. "

Jeez wrote on Dec 1, 2008 2:19 PM:

" How many times do we have to rehash the same issues on WSI? We get it already...there are issues with WSI. Get something new to write about. I love this town but gosh dang there are some whiners here. How many times do we have to listen to someone complain about WSI or the roads not getting plowed properly or Bush bashing or the same 'ol democrats vs. republican rhetoric. My God people! "

Get Real wrote on Dec 1, 2008 2:18 PM:

" to Economic Conservative: I can't believe I am going to say this but I actually agree with you, which is one of the many reasons that Measure 4 is a mess. It returns the agency back into a political relm that got us into the mess of the 1990s. I do not and will not understand how people actually thought returning the agency to the Governor is a good idea. Everyone thinks that Measure 4 is the start of reforming the agency it won't it is a giant step backwards. "

Economic Conservative wrote on Dec 1, 2008 12:03 PM:

" I am still betting that Hoeven will use the WSI CEO position as another reward for one of his loyalists, mostly likely Larson. Hoeven has a history of using high paying state jobs for these rewards and it will only add to the political nonsense that has been taking place at WSI forever. Come on John, surprise me, appoint someone from out of state that is well qualified. "

Victor wrote on Dec 1, 2008 11:17 AM:

" How can you say the morale was not that bad when even Blunt's own handpicked survey said that 2/3 of the employees don't trust managment and that over 50% think that managment should be shown the door. Not sure where you get the indication that morale is bad, 3 surveys including the one done by the state auditors indicated that morale under Blunt was terrible and has not gotten much better. It will get better when 4 more personnel get shown the door at WSI.

Oh yes, WSI takes the high road, that is why they tapped into the DOT database to get DL photos and didn't keep the photos or the report which is a violation of state records laws. WSI takes the high road by criticizing everyone who disagrees with them whether they be legislators, workers groups, auditors (internal, external and the state auditors), consultants, etc. WSI takes the high road by continuing to meet in private and violating state open meetings laws. WSI takes the high road by having the current chair "conveniently" forget whether or not Blunt resigned before the Dec 2007 meeting. Should I go on???? "

I Am NO Fan of Furness wrote on Dec 1, 2008 9:34 AM:

" but you have a few facts that are just not correct. Furness came after the whistleblowers and had nothing to do with the fund growing. Connollys recommendations were done as he asked and done before Furness. He followed the auditor's recommendation because they were already obeyed and implemented by the prior leadership. You are right he did nothing for or to the morale because the morale was never that bad (check out the ICF report). You are right about the one or two other rants too.

Check your facts before you spout off. This is why the WSI issues has become the false legend that it has. People lie and other people love the print or film those lies for the publics consumption. And WSI takes the high road and does not defend itself from the lies thus the lies before the truth. Enough already. "

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