Keller @ Large: Man Who Approved BCBS $11M Payout
BOSTON (CBS) -- He makes a living bashing executives who make millions, but now president of Massachusetts AFL/CIO Robert Haynes is under fire for approving a controversial $11 million payout to Blue Cross/Blue Shield's former CEO Cleve Killingsworth.
Haynes is the top dog in the local labor movement, a vocal critic for years of corporate fat cats and their golden parachutes. But as a member of the board of BCBS, why did he ok Killingsworth's payout?
"I'm not comfortable with that story or what's transpired, but I am comfortable with what Blue Cross has done since then to rectify that," Haynes told WBZ's Jon Keller.
WBZ-TV's Jon Keller talks with Robert Haynes.
Haynes says the company has reformed its executive pay structure, and praised the cost-control efforts of former Killingsworth.
What about the $72,000 a year Haynes makes to sit on the Blue Cross Blue Shield board?
"Do I think the payments I get as a member of the board are generous? Yes I do. But I take my position there very seriously, representing labor, representing working people, and fighting like hell for a better health care system for people in this commonwealth," he said.