Rick Baxter, former president of floatplane operator West Coast Air Ltd., is suing the company for $400,000 in severance pay, less a 30% statutory withholding, according to a statement of claim filed in BC Supreme Court last week.
Baxter’s statement of claim says the company has “refused or failed” to pay the severance pay, which Baxter claims is due him following the January 10 termination of his employment with the company. The severance pay is equal to 24 months’ salary. The company hired Baxter as president May 1, 2010.
“West Coast is contractually obliged to pay to the plaintiff a retirement allowance of $400,000, less statutory withholding, and without regard to mitigation,” the statement reads. “This is a debt due and payable. Alternatively, by reason of West Coast’s failure to pay this sum, the plaintiff has suffered loss and damage.”
Harbour Air Ltd. acquired West Coast Air last spring (See “Harbour floatplane plan stalled” – issue 1068, April 13-19, 2010).
West Coast Air and Harbour Air were not immediately available for comment.