Exhibit (10)-38
Unicom Corporation and
Commonwealth Edison Company
Form 10-K File No. 1-11375 and 1-1839
UNICOM CORPORATION
KEY MANAGEMENT
SEVERANCE PLAN
As Amended and Restated, effective
March 8, 1999
UNICOM CORPORATION
KEY MANAGEMENT SEVERANCE PLAN
1. AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT; PURPOSE OF THE PLAN
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The Unicom Corporation Key Management Severance Plan (the "Plan") was
established, effective June 15, 1998, by Unicom Corporation ("Unicom") to
provide certain key employees of Commonwealth Edison Company ("ComEd") and other
subsidiaries of Unicom (jointly and severally referred to herein as the
"Company") certain severance benefits in the event the employment of such
employees terminates under the circumstances described herein. The Plan was
amended and restated, effective March 8, 1999, to reflect a policy approved by
the Board of Directors of the Company which provides benefits in the event a key
employee's employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or the
employee resigns for Good Reason within 24 months following a Change in Control
of the Company. This document serves as both the Plan document and the summary
plan description which is required to be provided to participants under the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).
2. ELIGIBILITY
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Each individual who is on the executive payroll of ComEd or on the
equivalent payroll of any other subsidiary of Unicom (an "Executive") shall be
eligible for benefits hereunder in the event such Executive has a Termination of
Employment.
3. PARTICIPATION
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Each eligible Executive shall become a participant in the Plan
("Participant") upon his or her execution of an agreement with the Company in
such form as the Company, in its sole discretion, shall require or permit (the
"Severance Agreement"). Except with respect to a Termination of Employment
within 24 months following a Change in Control, as described in Section 5, each
Severance Agreement shall include covenants not to compete which are
substantially in the form attached hereto and made a part hereof as Exhibit I,
and each Executive shall also be required to execute, no later than the date of
the Participant's Termination of Employment or, if later, such date indicated by
the Plan Administrator which shall be no less than 21 days after the date the
Executive is provided with a copy of a Severance Agreement, a waiver and release
of claims against the Company ("Waiver and Release").
4. BENEFITS
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Except as provided in Section 5 with respect to a Termination of Employment
on account of a Change in Control, benefits under the Plan shall be those
described in this Section 4; provided, however, that if, under the terms of an
offer of employment or employment agreement with the Company, a Participant
would be entitled to benefits which exceed the level of benefits under the Plan,
the terms of such offer of employment or other agreement shall control.
4.1 Severance Pay. Each Participant shall receive severance pay at a monthly
rate equal to 1/12 of the sum of the Participant's annual base salary in effect
as of the date of Termination of Employment (plus Deferred Compensation Units,
if any) plus the Severance Incentive (as defined in Paragraph 7.5). Payment
shall be made biweekly for the duration of the applicable Salary Continuation
Period, as indicated below, commencing no later than the second paydate which
occurs after the date of the Participant's Termination of Employment, but in no
event earlier than the date which is eight days after the date the Participant
returns an executed Waiver and Release to the Plan Administrator. Payment will
be made in accordance with the Company's normal payroll practices, net of
applicable taxes and other deductions.
Participant Title Salary Continuation Period
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Senior Vice President and above 24 months
Other Officers 18 months
Executives (non-officers) 12 months
4.2 Incentive Programs. A Participant's Annual Incentive Award and Long Term
Performance Unit Awards made or payable under the Unicom Corporation Long Term
Incentive Plan (the "LTIP"), or any other annual incentive award and/or long
term performance awards to which a Participant is entitled under the terms of a
similar plan or arrangement(s) with respect to the calendar year in which occurs
the Participant's Termination of Employment shall be prorated by multiplying the
amount of such Awards, determined as described below, by a fraction the
numerator of which is the number of days of the Participant's active employment
during such calendar year and the denominator of which is 365. The amount of any
such Awards shall be determined based upon achievement of applicable performance
goals, in accordance with the terms of the applicable incentive program for such
calendar year; provided, however, that a Long Term Performance Unit Award shall
be payable hereunder with respect to any Participant (other than a Participant
who is or who, as of the last day of his or her Salary Continuation Period would
be, eligible to begin receiving retirement benefits under the Commonwealth
Edison Company Service Annuity System (the "Pension Plan") or, if applicable,
under the Commonwealth Edison Supplemental Management Retirement Plan (the
"SERP")) only if such Participant was an active employee for at least 24 months
of the performance period with respect to such Award. Payment of Awards under
this Section 4.2 shall be made in a lump sum net of applicable taxes and other
deductions at such time as the Awards for such calendar year are payable to
active employees.
4.3 Stock Options. No Participant shall be entitled to participate in any
grants of stock options under the LTIP made after such Participant's Termination
of Employment. Except as provided below, any stock options granted to a
Participant prior to such Participant's Termination of Employment shall be
exercisable only to the extent such options are exercisable as of the date of
such Termination of Employment and shall thereafter be exercised in accordance
with the provisions of the LTIP. Stock options which remain unexercisable as of
the date of a Participant's Termination of Employment shall be forfeited.
Notwithstanding the preceding, with respect to any Participant who, as of the
date of such Participant's Termination of Employment (or, if later, the last day
of such Participant's Salary Continuation Period) is eligible to begin receiving
retirement benefits under the Pension Plan or the SERP, as applicable, any stock
options granted to such Participant which have not become exercisable prior to
the date of the Termination of Employment shall become fully exercisable on such
date, and shall remain exercisable until the expiration of the option term(s).
4.4 Health Care Coverage. Each Participant shall continue to participate in the
health care plans sponsored by ComEd during the Salary Continuation Period. The
premium for such coverage shall be the premium level in effect for active
employees during such period. Coverage under this Paragraph 4.4 shall be
provided for the duration of the Salary Continuation Period in lieu of
continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
of 1985 (COBRA) for the same period. At the end of the Salary Continuation
Period, COBRA continuation coverage may be elected for the remaining balance of
the statutory coverage period, if any; provided, however that a Participant who,
as of the last day of the Salary Continuation Period has attained at least age
50 (but not age 55) and completed at least 10 years of service under the terms
of the Pension Plan (or who, pursuant to the terms of an offer of employment or
employment agreement, is credited with a number of additional years of age
and/or service that would enable such Participant to satisfy the above
eligibility requirements) shall be entitled to elect retiree health coverage
under the ComEd health care plans on the same terms and subject to the same
conditions as active employees who have attained age 55 and are eligible to
begin receiving early retirement benefits under the Pension Plan.
4.5 Retirement Plans. During the Salary Continuation Period, each Participant
shall accrue credited service under the SERP. The amount of any payment made
under Section 4.1 to the Participant during such period shall be taken into
account for purposes of the SERP, and each
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Participant may also elect to participate in the Commonwealth Edison Excess
Benefit Savings Plan during the Salary Continuation Period with respect to the
portion of any such payment which is attributable to base salary. A Participant
in the Plan shall not accrue service or otherwise actively participate in any
tax-qualified retirement or savings plan sponsored by ComEd or the Company
during the Salary Continuation Period, and shall not be entitled to commence to
receive benefits under any such plan until after the expiration of the Salary
Continuation Period.
4.6 Life Insurance and Disability Coverage. Continued coverage under the life
insurance and long term disability plans sponsored by the Company shall be
extended to each Participant through the last day of the Salary Continuation
Period applicable to such Participant on the same terms and subject to the same
conditions as are applicable to active employees.
4.7 Deferred Compensation Plans. The elections, if any, made by an Executive
under any deferred compensation plan sponsored by the Company shall remain in
effect through the last day of such participant's Salary Continuation Period,
but such individual shall not be entitled to make any additional elections
during such period.
4.8 Executive Perquisites. Executive perquisites shall terminate effective as
of the date of a Participant's Termination of Employment, and any Company-owned
property shall be required to be returned to the Company no later than such
date; provided, however, that each Participant who is an officer of the Company
shall be entitled to financial counseling services for a period of 24 months
following the date of such Participant's Termination of Employment.
4.9 Outplacement Services. Each Participant shall be entitled to outplacement
services at the expense of the Company for such period and subject to such terms
and conditions as the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion, determines are
appropriate.
5. CHANGE IN CONTROL BENEFITS
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Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4, if, within 24 months following
a Change in Control, an Executive below the level of senior vice president has a
Termination of Employment, the Company's obligations to such Executive shall be
as follows:
5.1 Severance Pay. Each Executive shall receive, in a single cash lump sum
within five business days following his Termination of Employment and net of
applicable taxes, a severance payment equal to the product of (i) the
Executive's then-current annual base salary, (ii) the Severance Incentive (as
defined in Section 7.5), or, if greater, the target award under the annual
incentive award program in which the Executive participates for the year in
which the Termination of Employment occurs, and (iii) the multiplier indicated
below:
Participant Title Multiplier
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Officers 2
Other Executives 1.5
5.2 Incentive Compensation.
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(a) Each Executive shall receive in a cash lump sum, as soon as
practicable following his Termination of Employment and net of
applicable taxes, an amount equal to the target award under the annual
incentive award program in which the Executive participates for the
calendar year (or other performance period, if applicable) in which
such Termination of Employment occurs, multiplied by a fraction the
numerator of which is the number of days of the Participant's active
employment during such calendar year and the denominator of which is
365.
(b) Each of the Executive's stock options granted under the LTIP, any
successor plan or otherwise that is exercisable on the date of the
Executive's Termination of Employment, shall remain exercisable until
the applicable option expiration
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date.
(c) On the date of the Executive's Termination of Employment (1) the
Executive shall become fully vested in, and may thereupon and until
the applicable expiration date of such stock incentive awards exercise
in whole or in part, any and all stock incentive awards granted to the
Executive under the LTIP, any successor plan or otherwise which have
not become exercisable as of such date, and (2) the Executive shall
become fully vested at the target level in any cash incentive awards
granted under the LTIP, a successor plan or otherwise which have not,
as of such date, become fully vested.
(d) All forfeiture conditions that as of the date of the Executive's
Termination of Employment are applicable to any deferred stock unit,
restricted stock or restricted share units awarded to the Executive by
the Company pursuant to the LTIP, a successor plan or otherwise shall
lapse immediately.
5.3 Deferred Compensation. The Executive shall receive immediate payment of all
amounts previously deferred by or accrued to the benefit of the Executive under
any nonqualified deferred compensation plan sponsored by the Company, excluding
the SERP, together with any accrued earnings thereon, which are unpaid as of the
date of the Executive's Termination of Employment. The Company agrees to secure
the lump sum actuarial present value of any benefits payable with respect to the
Executive under the SERP by obtaining an irrevocable bank letter of credit
issued by a bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve system until such
benefits become payable to the Executive under the terms of the SERP.
5.4 Health Care Coverage. During the Severance Period (or until such later date
as any welfare benefit plan program or policy of the Company may specify), the
Company shall continue to provide to the Executive and the Executive's family
welfare benefits (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental,
vision and hearing care, long term care, disability, individual life and group
life insurance benefits) which are at least as favorable as those provided under
the most favorable welfare plans of the Company applicable (i) with respect to
the Executive and his family during the 90-day period immediately preceding the
date of the Executive's Termination of Employment, or (ii) with respect to other
peer executives and their families during the Severance Period. In determining
benefits under such welfare plans, the Executive's annual compensation
attributable to base salary and incentives for any plan year or calendar year,
as applicable, shall be deemed to be not less than the Executive's annual base
salary and target annual incentive award for the calendar year or plan year, as
applicable. The cost of the welfare benefits provided under this Section 5.4
shall not exceed the cost of such benefits to the Executive immediately before
the date of the Executive's Termination of Employment. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if the Executive obtains comparable coverage under any welfare plans
sponsored by another employer, then the amount of coverage required to be
provided by the Company hereunder shall be reduced by the amount of coverage
provided by such other employer's welfare plans. The Executive's rights under
this Section shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any post-termination
continuation coverage or conversion rights the Executive may have pursuant to
applicable law, including without limitation, COBRA continuation coverage. For
purposes of determining eligibility for (but not the time of commencement of)
retiree benefits under any welfare plans of the Company, the Executive shall be
considered (i) to have remained employed until the last day of the Severance
Period and to have retired on the last day of such period, and (ii) to have
attained the age the Executive would have attained on the last day of the
Severance Period.
5.5 Retirement Plans. The amount payable under Section 5.1 shall be taken into
account for purposes of determining the amount of benefits to which the
Executive is entitled under the SERP; provided that such amount shall be taken
into account as though it was earned equally over the Severance Period, and
further provided that the Executive shall be deemed to have attained the age he
or she would have attained as of the last day of the Severance Period, and
completed the number of years of service he or she would have completed as of
the last day of the Severance Period. To the extent that the Executive, under
the terms of an employment contract or offer of employment with ComEd or the
Company has received a grant of years of
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service for purposes of the SERP and the Executive either (i) has, as of the
date of his Termination of Employment, completed the number of years of service
required in order to be entitled to benefits under the SERP, or (ii) would,
taking into account the Severance Period, satisfy the service requirement for
such benefits, the Severance Period shall be taken into account for purposes of
determining the amount of and eligibility to begin to receive benefits under the
SERP.
5.6 Outplacement Services. The Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred,
pay on behalf of the Executive all fees and costs charged by a nationally
recognized outplacement firm selected by the Executive to provide outplacement
service.
5.7 Adjustments to Change in Control Benefits.
(a) Excise Tax Gross-Up. If it is determined by the Company's independent
auditors that any benefit received or deemed received by an Executive
who is an officer below the level of senior vice president, pursuant
to the Plan or otherwise, whether or not in connection with a Change
in Control (the "Potential Parachute Payments") is or will become
subject to any excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") or any similar tax payable under
any United States federal, state, local or other law (collectively,
"Excise Taxes"), then the Company shall, subject to subsection (b)(i),
pay the Executive an amount (the "Gross-up Payment") to compensate the
Executive for all Excise Taxes payable by the Executive with respect
to the Potential Parachute Payment and any federal, state, local or
other income or other taxes or Excise Taxes payable by the Executive
with respect to the Gross-up Payment.
(b) Limitations on Payments.
(i) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 5, if the
aggregate After-Tax Amount (as defined below) of the Potential
Parachute Payments and Gross-up Payments (both terms as defined
in subsection (a)) that, but for this subsection (b)(i) would be
payable to an Executive who is an officer below the level of
senior vice president, does not exceed 110% of the After-Tax
Floor Amount (as defined below), then no Gross-up Payment shall
be made to such Executive, and the aggregate amount of Potential
Parachute Payments payable to the Executive shall be reduced (but
not below the Floor Amount) to the largest amount which would
both (A) not cause any Excise Taxes to be payable by the
Executive and (B) not cause any Potential Parachute Payments to
become nondeductible by the Company by reason of Section 280G of
the Code (or any successor provision).
(ii) Further notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 5, if
it is determined by the Company's independent auditors that any
Potential Parachute Payments received or deemed received by an
Executive who is not an officer is or will become subject to any
Excise Taxes, then the aggregate amount of Potential Parachute
Payments payable to such Executive shall be reduced (but not
below the Floor Amount) to the largest amount which would both
(A) not cause any Excise Taxes to be payable by the Executive and
(B) not cause any Potential Parachute Payments to become
nondeductible by the Company by reason of Section 280G of the
Code (or any successor provision).
For purposes of this subsection (b), the Executive shall be deemed to be
subject to the highest effective after-tax marginal rate of federal and
Illinois taxes.
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(c) Definitions. For purposes of this Section 5.7:
(i) "After-Tax Amount" means the portion of a specified amount that
would remain after payment of all federal, state and local
income or other taxes and Excise Taxes paid or payable by an
Executive in respect of such specified amount;
(ii) "Floor Amount" means the greatest pre-tax amount of Potential
Parachute Payments that could be paid to an Executive without
causing him to become liable for any Excise Taxes in connection
therewith; and
(iii) "After-Tax Floor Amount" means the After-Tax Amount of the Floor
Amount.
5.8 Pooling of Interests Contingency. Any benefits provided to an Executive
under this Section 5 may be reduced or eliminated to the extent necessary, in
the reasonable judgment of the Board of Directors of Unicom which is supported
by a written certificate of the Company's independent auditors, to enable the
Company to account for a merger, consolidation or similar transaction as a
pooling of interests, provided that the Unicom Board shall have exercised such
judgment and given the Executive written notice thereof prior to the effective
date of any Change in Control.
6. TERMINATION OF PARTICIPATION; CESSATION OF BENEFITS
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A Participant's benefits under Section 4 of the Plan shall terminate on the
last day of the Participant's Salary Continuation Period or, if earlier, on such
date as the Company discovers that the Participant has breached any of the
restrictive covenants contained in the Severance Agreement between the Executive
and the Company which is a condition precedent to the payment of benefits under
Section 4 hereof. In the event of any such breach, the Company may require the
repayment of amounts paid prior to such breach in accordance with Paragraph 4.1,
and shall discontinue the payment of any additional amounts under Section 4 of
the Plan.
A Participant's benefits under Section 5 of the Plan shall terminate on the
last day of the Participant's Severance Period or, if later, on the date all
benefits to which the Participant is entitled have been paid from the Plan.
7. DEFINITIONS
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In addition to terms previously defined, when used in the Plan, the
following capitalized terms shall have the following meanings unless the context
clearly indicates otherwise:
7.1 "Cause" means, with respect to any Executive:
(a) the Executive's willful commission of acts(s) or omissions(s) which
have, have had, or are likely to have a material adverse effect on the
business, operations, financial condition or reputation of the Company
or any of its affiliates;
(b) the Executive's conviction (including a plea of guilty or nolo
contendere) of a felony or any crime of fraud, theft, dishonesty or
moral turpitude; or,
(c) the Executive's material violation of any statutory or common law duty
of loyalty to the Company or any of its affiliates.
7.2 "Change in Control" means:
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(a) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning
of Section 13 (d) (3) or 14 (d) (2) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") (a "Person") of beneficial
ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the
Exchange Act) of 20% or more of either (i) the then-outstanding shares
of common stock of Unicom (the "Outstanding Company Common Stock"), or
(ii) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting
securities of Unicom entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting Securities"); provided,
however, that for purposes of this subsection (a), the following
acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (A) any
acquisition directly from Unicom (excluding any acquisition resulting
from the exercise of an exercise, conversion or exchange privilege
unless the security being so exercised, converted or exchanged was
acquired directly from Unicom), (B) any acquisition by Unicom, (C) any
acquisition by an employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored
or maintained by Unicom or any corporation controlled by Unicom (a
"Company Plan"), or (D) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to
a transaction which complies with clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of
subsection (c) of this definition; provided further, that for purposes
of clause (B), if any Person (other than Unicom or any Company Plan)
shall become the beneficial owner of 20% or more of the Outstanding
Unicom Common Stock or 20% or more of the Outstanding Unicom Voting
Securities by reason of an acquisition by Unicom, and such Person
shall, after such acquisition by Unicom, become the beneficial owner
of any additional shares of the Outstanding Unicom Common Stock or any
additional Outstanding Unicom Voting Securities (other than pursuant
to any dividend reinvestment plan or arrangement maintained by Unicom)
and such beneficial ownership is publicly announced, such additional
beneficial ownership shall constitute a Change in Control; or
(b) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board of
Directors of Unicom (for purposes of this Section 7.2, the "Incumbent
Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the
Incumbent Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a
director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination
for election by Unicom shareholders, was approved by a vote of at
least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board
shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the
Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual
whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or
threatened election contest (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11
promulgated under the Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened
solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other
than the Board of Directors of Unicom; or
(c) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a reorganization,
merger or consolidation, or the sale or other disposition of more than
50% of the operating assets of Unicom (determined on a consolidated
basis), other than in connection with a sale-leaseback or other
arrangement resulting in the continued utilization of such assets (or
the operating products of such assets) by the Company (such sale or
other disposition, a "Corporate Transaction"); excluding, however, a
Corporate Transaction pursuant to which:
(i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who are
the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company
Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities
immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction beneficially
own, directly or indirectly, more than 60% of, respectively, the
then-outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting
power of the then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors, as the case may be,
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of the corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction
(including, without limitation, a corporation which, as a result
of such transaction, owns the Company or all or substantially
all of the assets of the Company either directly or through one
or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as
their ownership, immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction
of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company
Voting Securities, as the case may be;
(ii) no Person (other than Unicom, any Company Plan or related trust
of the Company, the corporation resulting from such Corporate
Transaction, and any Person which beneficially owned,
immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction, directly or
indirectly, 20% or more of the Outstanding Company Common Stock
or the Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may
be) will beneficially own, directly or indirectly, 20% or more
of, respectively, the then-outstanding common stock of the
corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction or the
combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of
such corporation; and
(iii) individuals who were members of the Incumbent Board will
constitute at least a majority of the members of the board of
directors of the corporation resulting from such Corporate
Transaction; or
(d) Approval by the shareholders of the Unicom of a plan of complete
liquidation or dissolution of Unicom or ComEd, other than a plan of
liquidation or dissolution which results in the acquisition of all or
substantially all of the assets of ComEd by Unicom or an affiliated
company.
7.3 "Good Reason" means a material reduction of an Executive's salary,
incentive compensation or benefits, unless such reduction is part of a policy,
program or arrangement applicable to peer executives of the Company and of any
successor entity; or a material reduction or material adverse alteration in the
nature of the Executive's position, duties, function, responsibilities or
authority; provided, however, that for purposes of Section 5, "Good Reason"
shall also mean:
(a) the failure to maintain the Executive in the office or position, or in
a substantially equivalent office or position, held by the Executive
immediately prior to the Change in Control;
(b) a determination by the Executive, made in good faith, that, as a result
of the Change in Control, the Executive is substantially unable to perform,
or that there has been a material reduction in, any of the Executive's
duties, functions responsibilities or authority;
(c) the failure of any successor to the Company to assume the Plan, or a
material breach of the obligations hereunder by the Company or its
successor;
(d) a relocation of more than 50 miles of (i) the Executive's workplace, or
(ii) the principal offices of the Company (if such offices are the
Executive's workplace), in each case without the consent of the Executive;
or
(e) a requirement of at least 20% more business travel than was required of
the Executive prior to the Change in Control.
7.4 "Salary Continuation Period" means the period indicated in Section 4.1
during which benefits are payable under the Plan.
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7.5 "Severance Incentive" means the average of the annual incentive awards paid
to a Participant under the LTIP (or such other annual incentive plan or
arrangement under which the Participant is entitled to such awards), a successor
plan or otherwise with respect to each of the two calendar years preceding the
year in which occurs the Participant's Termination of Employment.
7.6 "Severance Period" means, with respect to an officer below the level of
senior vice president, two years and, with respect to any other Executive who is
not an officer, 18 months.
7.7 "Termination of Employment" means:
(a) a termination of the Executive's employment by the Company or any
subsidiary for reasons other than for Cause; or
(b) a resignation by the Executive for Good Reason.
A termination of employment for Cause or an Executive's resignation other than
for Good Reason shall not be a Termination of Employment for purposes of the
Plan. Any dispute regarding whether an Executive's Termination of Employment for
purposes of Section 5 is based on Good Reason shall be submitted to binding
arbitration.
8. FUNDING
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Nothing in the Plan shall be interpreted as requiring Unicom to set aside
any of its assets for the purpose of funding its obligations under the Plan. No
person entitled to benefits under the Plan shall have any right, title or claim
in or to any specific assets of Unicom, but shall have the right only as a
general creditor of Unicom to receive benefits from Unicom on the terms and
conditions provided in the Plan.
9. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN
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Unicom is the "administrator" and a "named fiduciary" of the Plan for
purposes of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
(ERISA). The Plan shall be administered on a day-to-day basis by the Director of
Compensation Planning of ComEd (the "Plan Administrator"). The Plan
Administrator has the sole and absolute power and authority to interpret and
apply the provisions of this Plan to a particular circumstance, make all factual
and legal determinations, construe uncertain or disputed terms and make
eligibility and benefit determinations in such manner and to such extent as the
Plan Administrator in his or her sole discretion may determine.
The Plan Administrator shall promulgate any rules and regulations necessary
to carry out the purposes of the Plan or to interpret the terms and conditions
of the Plan; provided, however, that no rule, regulation or interpretation shall
be contrary to the provisions of the Plan. The rules, regulations and
interpretations made by the Plan Administrator shall be applied on a uniform
basis and shall be final and binding on any Executive or former Executive of the
Company or any successor in interest of either.
The Plan Administrator may delegate any administrative duties, including,
without limitation, duties with respect to the processing, review,
investigation, approval and payment of severance pay and provision of severance
benefits, to designated individuals or committees.
10. CLAIMS PROCEDURE
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The Plan Administrator shall determine the rights of any Executive or
former Executive of the Company to any severance pay or benefits hereunder. Any
Executive or former Executive of the Company who believes that he or she is
entitled to receive severance pay or benefits under the Plan, including
severance pay or benefits other than those initially determined by the Plan
Administrator, may file a claim in writing with the Plan Administrator. No later
than 90 days after the receipt of the claim the Plan Administrator shall either
allow or deny the claim in writing.
A denial of a claim, in whole or in part, shall be written in a manner
calculated to be understood by the claimant and shall include the specific
reason or reasons for the denial; specific reference to pertinent Plan
provisions on which the denial is based; a description of any additional
material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an
explanation of why such material or information is necessary; and an explanation
of the claims review procedure.
A claimant whose claim is denied (or his or her duly authorized
representative), may, within 60 days after receipt of the denial of his or her
claim, request a review upon written application to an officer designated by
Unicom and specified in the claim denial; review pertinent documents; and submit
issues and comments in writing.
The designated officer shall notify the claimant of his or her decision on
review within 60 days after receipt of a request for review unless special
circumstances require an extension of time for processing, in which case a
decision shall be rendered as soon as possible, but not later than 120 days
after receipt of a request for review. Notice of the decision on review shall be
in writing. The officer's decision on review shall be final and binding on any
claimant or any successor in interest.
11. AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF PLAN
--------------------------------
Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, Unicom's Senior Vice
President Corporate Resources or another designated officer of the Company may
amend, modify or terminate the Plan at any time by written instrument; provided,
however, that no amendment, modification or termination shall deprive any
Participant of any payment or benefit that the Plan Administrator previously has
determined is payable under the Plan.
12. MISCELLANEOUS
-------------
12.1 Limitation on Rights. Participation in the Plan is limited to the
individuals described in Sections 2 and 3, and the Plan shall not apply to any
voluntary or involuntary termination of employment that is not a Termination of
Employment occurring on or after the effective date of the Plan.
12.2 No Mitigation. The Executive shall not have any duty to mitigate the
amounts payable by the Company under this Agreement by seeking new employment
following termination. Except as specifically otherwise provided in this
Agreement, all amounts payable pursuant to this Agreement shall be paid without
reduction regardless of any amounts of salary, compensation or other amounts
which may be paid or payable to the Executive as the result of the Executive's
employment by another employer.
12.3 Headings. Headings of sections in this document are for convenience only,
and do not constitute any part of the Plan.
12.4 Severability. If any provision of this Plan or the rules and regulations
made pursuant to the Plan are held to be invalid or illegal for any reason, such
illegality or invalidity shall not affect the
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remaining portions of this Plan.
12.5 Governing Law. The Plan shall be construed and enforced in accordance with
ERISA and the laws of the State of Illinois to the extent such laws are not
preempted by ERISA.
12.6 Successors and Assigns. This Plan shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of Unicom and its successors and assigns and shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of a Participant and his or her legal representatives,
heirs and assigns. Before or upon the consummation of any Change in Control, the
Company shall obtain from each individual, entity or group that becomes a
successor of the Company by reason of the Change in Control, the unconditional
written agreement of such individual, entity or group to assume this Plan and to
perform all of the obligations of the Company under Section 5 hereof.
No rights, obligations or liabilities of a Participant hereunder shall be
assignable without the prior written consent of Unicom. In the event of the
death of a Participant, prior to receipt of severance pay or benefits to which
he or she is entitled hereunder (and, with respect to benefits under Section 4,
after he or she has signed the Waiver and Release), the severance pay described
in Section 4.1 or 5.1, as applicable, shall be paid to his or her estate, and
the Participant's dependents who are covered under the ComEd health care plans
shall be entitled to continued rights under Section 4.4 or Section 5.4, as
applicable; provided that in the case of benefits provided under Section 4, the
estate or other successor of the Participant has not revoked such Waiver and
Release.
13. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
--------------------------
Plan Sponsor: Unicom Corporation
Addres: 227 West Monroe Street, 12th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Employer Identification
Number: 36-3961038
Plan Administrator: Compensation Planning Vice President
Address and Telephone: Commonwealth Edison Company
PO Box 767
Chicago, Illinois 60690-0767
(312) 394-4015
Agent for Service of
Legal Process: Compensation Planning Vice President
Commonwealth Edison Company
PO Box 767
Chicago, Illinois 60690-0767
Plan Number: 501
Type of Plan: severance benefit plan (welfare)
Plan Year: calendar year
14. ERISA RIGHTS
------------
As a Participant in the Plan, you are entitled to certain rights and
protections under ERISA. ERISA provides that all plan participants shall be
entitled to:
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Examine, without charge, at the Plan Administrator's office at 10 S.
Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603 all Plan documents and copies of
all documents filed by the Plan with the U.S. Department of Labor; and
Obtain copies of all Plan documents and other Plan information upon written
request to the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator may make a
reasonable charge for the copies.
In addition to creating rights for Participants, ERISA imposes duties upon
the people who are responsible for the operation of the Plan. The people who
operate the Plan, called "fiduciaries" of the Plan, have a duty to act prudently
and in the interest of you and other Participants and beneficiaries. No one,
including your employer, your union, or any other person, may fire you or
otherwise discriminate against you in any way to prevent you from obtaining your
interest in the Plan or from exercising your rights under ERISA. If your claim
for a benefit from the Plan is denied in whole or in part, you must receive a
written explanation of the reason for the denial. You have the right to have
your claim reviewed and reconsidered. Under ERISA, there are steps you can take
to enforce the above rights. For instance, if you request materials from the
Plan and do not receive them within 30 days, you may file suit in a federal
court. In such a case, the court may require the Plan Administrator to provide
the materials and pay you up to $110 a day until you receive the materials,
unless the materials were not sent because of reasons beyond the control of the
Plan Administrator. If you have a claim for benefits which is denied or ignored,
in whole or in part, you may file suit in a state or federal court. If it should
happen that Plan fiduciaries misuse the Plan's money, or if you are
discriminated against for asserting your rights, you may seek assistance from
the U.S. Department of Labor, or you may file suit in a federal court. The court
will decide who should pay court costs and legal fees. If you are successful,
the court may order the person you have sued to pay these costs and fees. If you
lose and the court finds your claim to be frivolous, the court may order you to
pay these costs and fees. If you have any questions about the Plan, you should
contact the Plan Administrator. If you have any questions about this statement
or about your rights under ERISA, you should contact the nearest Area Office of
the U.S. Labor-Management Services Administration, Department of Labor.
March 8, 1999
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EXHIBIT I
---------
NON-COMPETITION COVENANTS
-------------------------
1. Confidential Information Defined. For the purposes hereof, the term
"Confidential Information" shall mean any information not generally known in
the relevant trade or industry, which was obtained from Unicom Corporation,
Commonwealth Edison Company or any affiliate thereof (the "Company"), or
which was learned, discovered, developed, conceived, originated or prepared
during or as result of your performance of any services on behalf of the
Company and which falls within the following general categories:
(a) information relating to trade secrets of the Company or any customer
or supplier of the Company;
(b) information relating to existing or contemplated products, services,
technology, designs, processes, formulae, algorithms, research or
product developments of the Company or any customer or supplier of the
Company;
(c) information relating to business plans or strategies, sales or
marketing methods, methods of doing business, customer lists, customer
usages and/or requirements, supplier information of the Company or any
customer or supplier of the Company;
(d) information subject to protection under the Uniform Trade Secrets Act,
as adopted by the State of Illinois, or to any comparable protection
afforded by applicable laws; and
(e) any other confidential information which either the Company or any
customer or supplier of the Company may reasonably have the right to
protect by patent, copyright or by keeping it secret and confidential.
2. Nondisclosure of Confidential Information. You agree that you will not use
for your own benefit, in any manner, or disclose any Confidential
Information obtained during your employment with the Company at any time, to
any other person, firm or corporation without the Company's prior written
consent, except as may be required by the lawful order of a court or agency
of competent jurisdiction. You agree to take all reasonable steps to
safeguard such Confidential Information and to protect such information
against disclosure, misuse, loss and theft. Your obligations under this
paragraph with respect to any specific Confidential Information shall cease
when that specific portion of Confidential Information becomes publicly
known.
3. Non-Competition.
(a) You agree that for a period of two years beginning on the date of
termination of employment, without the prior written approval of the
Company you will not, directly or indirectly, in any capacity, engage
or participate in, become employed by, serve as a director of, or
render advisory or consulting or other services in connection with,
any Competitive Business (as defined below).
(b) You agree that for a period of two years beginning on the date of
termination of employment, without the prior written consent of the
Company, you will not at any time make any financial investment,
whether in the form of equity or debt, or own any interest, directly
or indirectly, in any Competitive Business. Nothing in this subsection
shall, however, restrict you from making an investment in any
Competitive Business if such investment does not represent more than
1% of market value of the outstanding capital stock or debt (as
applicable) of such Competitive Business.
"Competitive Business" means, as of any date, any individual or entity (and
any branch, office or operation thereof) which engages in, or proposes to
engage in (i) the production, transmission, distribution, marketing or sale
of electricity or (ii) any other business engaged in by the Company prior
to the separation date which represents for any calendar year or is
projected by the Company (as reflected in a business plan adopted by the
Company before the separation date) to yield during any year during the
first three-fiscal year period commencing on or after the separation date,
more than 5% of the gross revenue of the Company, and which is located (i)
anywhere in the United States, or (ii) anywhere outside of the United
States where the Company is then engaged in, or proposes to engage in, any
of such activities.
4. Non-Solicitation. You agree that for a period of two years beginning on the
date of termination of employment, you will not, directly or indirectly:
(a) encourage any employee to terminate his or her employment;
(b) employ, engage as a consultant or adviser, or solicit the employment
or engagement as a consultant or adviser of, any employee or cause any
individual or entity to do any of the foregoing;
(c) establish a business with, or encourage others to establish a business
with, any employee; or
(d) interfere with the relationship of the Company with, or endeavor to
entice away from the Company any individual or entity who or which at
any time during the period commencing one year prior to the date of
termination of employment was a material customer or material supplier
of, or maintained a material business relationship with, the Company.
5. Reasonableness of Restrictive Covenants.
2
You acknowledge that the covenants contained in Sections 2, 3 and 4 are
reasonable in the scope of the activities restricted, the geographic area
covered by the restrictions, and the duration of the restrictions, and that
such covenants are reasonably necessary to protect the Company's legitimate
interests in its Confidential Information and in its relationships with
employees, customers and suppliers. You further acknowledge such covenants
are essential elements of this [A]greement and that, but for such
covenants, the Company would not have entered into this [A]greement. You
further acknowledge that you have consulted with legal counsel and have
been advised concerning the reasonableness and propriety of such covenants.
You acknowledge that your observance of the covenants contained in Sections
2, 3 and 4 will not deprive you of the ability to earn a livelihood or to
support your dependents.
6. Right to Injunction; Survival of Undertakings.
(a) In recognition of the confidential nature of the Confidential
Information, and in recognition of the necessity of the limited
restrictions imposed by Sections 2, 3 and 4, the parties agree that it
would be impossible to measure solely in money the damages which the
Company would suffer you were to breach any of your obligations under
such paragraphs. You acknowledge that any breach of any provision of
such paragraphs would irreparably injure the Company. Accordingly, you
agree that if you breach any of the provisions of such paragraphs, the
Company shall be entitled, in addition to any other remedies to which
the Company may be entitled under this letter agreement or otherwise,
to an injunction to be issued by a court of competent jurisdiction, to
restrain any breach, or threatened breach, of such provisions, and you
hereby waive any right to assert any claim or defense that the Company
has an adequate remedy at law for any such breach.
(b) If a court determines that any of the covenants included in Sections
2, 3 and 4 is unenforceable in whole or in part because of such
covenant's duration or geographical or other scope, such court shall
have the power to reduce the duration or scope of such provision, as
the case may be, so as to cause such covenant to be thereafter
enforceable.
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