VANCOUVER, B.C. — Mark Mudie, former president and chief operating officer of BC Rail Ltd., is suing his former employer, claiming he was dismissed without cause and without notice last Aug. 23, the Vancouver Sun reported.
In documents filed in B.C. Supreme Court, he claims the manner of his dismissal caused him emotional distress, public humiliation and damaged his reputation.
Mudie is seeking aggravated and punitive damages for what he claims was the high-handed and insensitive conduct of the defendant. BC Rail has not yet filed a statement of defence to respond to the allegations.
Mudie joined BC Rail in April, 1999, as vice-president of operations and maintenance. He was promoted to president in May, 2001.
At the time he was terminated, Mudie was receiving a salary as well as bonus payments, a full benefits package, car allowance, discretionary spending allowance, mortgage assistance subsidy plan, pension plan payments, vacation and other benefits.
At the time Mudie and vice-president Debbie MacLagan abruptly left the Crown corporation last August, BC Rail representative Alan Dever offered no explanation.
“It’s a private and personal matter between them and the company,” he said.
Mudie was temporarily replaced by BCR Group chief executive officer Bob Phillips, while MacLagan was temporarily replaced by Ian McIver, BC Rail’s sales and marketing director.
Mudie had appointed MacLagan as vice-president, marketing and sales, earlier this year.
She had been with BC Rail for 11 years. Her previous positions included assistant vice-president of information technology and operating systems, general manager of transportation and director of customer service design.