Day 120 - 03 May 95 - Page 14

     
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     2   MR. RAMPTON:  Tweedledum and Tweedledee, I can just about manage
     3        one, but both at once I think is just too much.
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     5   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Decide who is going to ask the questions.  I
     6        am trying to help you because it seems to me you are trying
     7        to establish that which I think has been established days
     8        ago, do you see?
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    10   MS. STEEL:  The only time -----
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    12   MR. MORRIS:  I think everyone in the country knows it.
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    14   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Can we get it straight because there is no
    15        point in asking further questions if Ms. Steel and
    16        Mr. Morris have got the answer to this.  If, in fact, a
    17        very large proportion of McDonald's employees joined a
    18        union, it is just a matter of reality that McDonald's might
    19        be left with, after all sorts of perfectly lawful
    20        industrial action, might be left with no short alternative
         but to negotiate?
    22        A.  Yes, that is absolutely right, my Lord.
    23
    24   Q.   But McDonald's were certainly hoping never to find itself
    25        in that position?
    26        A.  And it has not got anywhere near it.
    27
    28   Q.   If every single member of crew in a particular restaurant
    29        joined a union you still would not negotiate with the
    30        union?
    31        A.  No.
    32
    33   Q.   That would be, say, 100 crew members out of the 28,000?
    34        A.  It would make no difference at all.
    35
    36   Q.   That really summarises the corporate attitude at that time?
    37        A.  Yes, it does, my Lord. It would also indicate that
    38        there was a problem in that restaurant which we would go
    39        down and deal with.
    40
    Q.   That is another matter, but that would be McDonald's
    42        attitude?
    43        A.  Absolutely, my Lord.
    44
    45   Q.   And it is the same today?
    46        A.  Yes.
    47
    48   MS. STEEL:  Is the reason you will not negotiate with trade
    49        unions because, even if they were representing 100 per cent
    50        of the crew in a particular store, or 100 per cent of the 
    51        crew in a region or whatever, the trade unions would be 
    52        more effective at arguing for better wages and conditions 
    53        than individual workers?
    54        A.  No, I do not accept that at all.
    55
    56   MR. MORRIS:  You do accept, though, that they would be more
    57        effective at arguing for better wages and conditions ---
    58        A.  No, I do not accept that at all.
    59
    60   Q.   -- than an individual worker?