Starboard Solutions

Helping BC Local Governments Chart Their Course

About

Starboard Solutions offers experienced-based excellence in Local Government Corporate Services – specializing in labour relations, human resources, and general management.

Barbra Mohan

With over 20 years of experience in human resources, labour relations, and senior executive roles, Barbra has a broad and detailed understanding of local government from small municipalities to large regional districts. 

An experienced listener, communicator and strategic thinker, she is particularly suited to the bargaining table environment. It’s here where her ability to stay calm and curious, and think fast while remaining firm and solution-focused, is best demonstrated.

When it comes to supporting people to do their best work, Barbra has experienced the transformative results that come from understanding employee motivations and goals, and ensuring the boundaries and guidance set by the workplace are supportive and practical, and that they can be relied on for clarity if challenges arise.

With generalist experience in many disciplines she is adept at stepping into any senior role with important relational components – such as those with Senior Management Teams, Elected Officials, First Nations, community organizations and other jurisdictions.

Services

Below are my key professional practice areas for clients, ranging from small municipalities to large regional districts. If you have a need for something different, I’d be happy to discuss it and if I can’t help you myself, I may be able to refer you to someone who can.

Senior Interim Leadership

Temporary Day-To-Day Management while you cover an extended leave or recruit your next star candidate. 

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  • Experienced in Chief/Deputy Chief Administration, Corporate Services and Administration including Human Resources, Legislative Services, Finance, IT/GIS, and Asset Management
  • Project Team Lead/Team Sponsor roles and Corporate Software Implementations 

Union Negotiations

Available to lead or support in any or all of the following ways that help you come to agreement with your workforce unions

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Preparatory:  

  • Collective Agreement review and comparison
  • Recent settlement research
  • Mandate and proposal preparation including consultation with Management, Boards and Councils
  • Job action contingency planning

Negotiations:  

  • Strategic advice and planning
  • Table and caucus lead
  • Consultation with Management on proposals and counterproposals
  • Labour Relations Board submissions
  • Board/Council reports and presentations

Finalization:

  • Ensuring Collective Agreement preparation is completed, proofread and distributed to all parties 

General Labour Relations Support

  • Collective Agreement Interpretation
  • Policy and process design to match the union contract
  • Grievance Handling

Human Resources Issue Management

  • On-Demand, issue-specific advice and support on a range of complex HR matters such as recruitment, performance, leaves, terminations, conflicts, complaints and miscommunications
  • Retainer service contracts – contact me so we can explore your needs

Human Resources Policy Work

  • Review and update of existing policies
  • Research and comparison with other jurisdictions
  • New policy creation 
  • Policy rollout training sessions

Executive/Management Recruitment 

  • Job Role/Description review and updates
  • Resume review and shortlisting
  • Communications with candidates
  • Preparing for and conducting interviews

Availability

“Every negotiation is a chance to transform conflict into cooperation through open dialogue and creative thinking,” 

Roger Fisher and William Ury

Getting to Yes