I have read some great advice from this board and would like to get some feedback on my situation. Question first then explanation.

I would like to know how to tell a hiring manager I was terminated from a 9 1/2  year position even though I deem it was an unjustified termination and have considered it a layoff without the severance package?

Is it normal for someone terminated to receive a one month salary and benefits?

Here is a little background and explanation if you wish to know more.  

 I was a Systems Analyst/ COBOL programmer for almost 10 years and was terminated in 2006.  The reason for my termination was poor performance.  I don't believe that is the case since I have had quality contributor ratings on all my reviews for the 9 years I had worked there. 

I was placed on a PIP or performance improvement plan for three weeks with the expectation of completing a long list of assignments drawn up by my manager.  I worked long hours and unpaid overtime and weekends to complete these tasks in the three weeks I was given and managed to complete everything except one task. (which was a few hours shy of completion).  I was told in weekly meetings with my manager that there was some hope that I would be taken off the PIP or it would be extended.  I also knew that termination was a possibility.  I thought I had done such a great job in completing my assignments, that I was totally blind-sided when I was called into HR and terminated.  I believe this was an unjustified termination based on my past performance reviews. 

The company I worked for had been laying off people (over a thousand people world-wide) for two years and I had just made it through the latest lay-off period at the end of 2005. 

My question (again) is how do I present this situation (termination) to future hiring managers, without showing that I have a grudge against my former company or make myself look bad?  Do I just say I have been laid-off or do I tell them I was terminated with the long explanation I told above.  I have been telling potential employers that I had been laid-off to keep things simple.  Have I approached this situation wrong?

I don't want to hide anything, but I don't want to not be considered for a position based on a prior termination nor do I want to bore a complete stranger to death with my problems. (Hopefully I haven't done that already with my long post )

I am loyal and a hardworker.  I am just looking for another job or a possible career change.  It has been a frustrating two years.  Any suggestions on this situation would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Michelle