Clarification of Severance Issue

It is important that BCNU members have the facts regarding the issue of any severance that may be due to the current president.

Here are the facts that were reported to the delegates at a meeting at BCNU's annual convention, held March 4-6, 2014.

BCNU will have a duty of severance to the current BCNU President, Debra McPherson, due to her age and longevity as President of BCNU should she not be re-elected.

1. The severance required would be between 20 and 24 months at her current compensation.
2. In order to offset this cost your BCNU Council approved the recommendation of the Executive Director of Negotiations and Strategic Development as per his duties laid out in the BCNU Constitution and Bylaws (article 5.05).
3. His recommendation to your BCNU Council was to offer her employment for a period of 21 months, a "working severance".
4. This offer is still considered employment and as such was required to be done in camera*.
5. This information was not shared with Debra McPherson at the time, so as not to affect her decision to run or the outcome of the election.
6. The Personnel Committee was to be charged with the negotiation should she not be re-elected and the final decision would be brought back to Council for approval.

If you have questions about this please seek accurate information from a member of council or from a delegate to BCNU's annual convention of March 4-6, 2014.

This BCNU Bulletin has been authorized and approved by the BCNU Personnel Committee and Gary Fane, Executive Director of Negotiations and Strategic Development.

* Note: "In camera" means "in the absence of the public" or "in private." Governing bodies choose to go "in camera" to discuss security, legal matters, personal matters, or labour relations. "In camera" matters generally remain confidential.