Day 142 - 26 Jun 95 - Page 28

     
     1        starting salary, do you understand, the starting rate?
     2        A.  OK, I did not understand "enhancements" from -----
     3
     4   Q.   Rises of 10, 15, or 20 cents an hour because of their
     5        performance as they develop ---
     6        A.  Right.
     7
     8   Q.   -- then Mr. Morris says if you take all those factors into
     9        account, the average starting rate for crew is probably at
    10        or only a little above the federal minimum.  What do you
    11        say about that, if, in fact, you can answer the matter at
    12        all?
    13        A.  What I am hearing him say, my Lord, is that it is
    14        either at 4.25 or just slightly above at 4.30 or 4.35.
    15        I disagree with that.
    16
    17   Q.   A few cents above?
    18        A.  Excuse me, my Lord?
    19
    20   Q.   A few cents above; at or a few cents above?
         A.  I disagree with a few cents above.
    22
    23   MR. MORRIS:  But within something like 20 or 30 cents above?
    24        A.  I cannot say that; it could also be higher.
    25
    26   Q.   Even if it was a dollar above, it would still be near the
    27        minimum wage, would it not?
    28        A.  I disagree with that, that a dollar above is near the
    29        minimum wage.
    30
    31   Q.   The fact is, is it not, Mr. Stein, that by any criteria
    32        your employees start on extremely low wages, would you
    33        agree with that?
    34        A.  I disagree.
    35
    36   Q.   And that it is only the -----
    37
    38   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  You have put your point on this.
    39
    40   MR. MORRIS:  Yes, I think we have put our case.
         (To the witness):  Do you have a bit of an understanding of
    42        trade unionism ---
    43        A.  Yes, I do.
    44
    45   Q.   -- through your experience?
    46        A.  Yes, I do.
    47
    48   Q.   No self-respecting trade unionist would accept wages like
    49        that without negotiating for higher, would they?
    50        A.  I totally disagree with that.  You know, you talked 
    51        about Detroit, you talked about ACORN; why don't you take a 
    52        look at the agreement that they reached with Burger King 
    53        where they signed up a contract with Burger King that was
    54        right at minimum wage, not above, right at minimum wage.
    55        So, I suggest you take a look at your own agreements.
    56
    57   Q.   But once the principle is established of a union
    58        negotiating in McDonald's, then the door is open for
    59        workers to start increasing their collective strengths, is
    60        it not?