DIRECTORS of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) could go unpaid for the next five months if its members do not back a resolution at an emergency general meeting (EGM) next week.
RACGP Vice President, Bruce Willett, told Australian Doctor that the issue was caused by confusion over plans to restructure the directors' pay in line with the financial year, rather than the organisation's annual general meeting (AGM).
The publication reported that members voted against the resolution at last year's AGM on the misunderstanding that the Board was attempting to double its pay.
"I think some people saw two payments and thought we would be doubling our remuneration," Willett said.
"When the result of the vote came back, there was surprise."
Tue's EGM will ask GPs to back a $1.2 million remuneration package for the College's 14 Directors, including President, Dr Karen Price.
Under the Board's current remuneration structure RACGP Directors receive a base of $40,000, plus additional payments, with the Chair earning $110,000, while the College President is paid approximately $255,000.
In its explanatory notice to members the RACGP said that of the $1.2 million package, less than $990,000 will be paid to the 14 Directors, with the remaining funds being held as "contingency" for new activities "such as co-opting a Director for the new RACGP Northern Territory faculty".
"If it fails, we don't get paid for at least five months; it's as simple as that," Willett said.
"It wouldn't be ideal, but I would still do the job."
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