Day 144 - 28 Jun 95 - Page 22

     
     1        McDonald's store.  She says in her statement:  "As soon as
     2        Cam" -- that is Mr. Valentine who is the owner of the
     3        operation, is he not -- "found out about the union he
     4        invited day staff into his office one by one to chat".
     5        That would be illegal in the USA, would it not?  I think
     6        you said that previously in evidence.
     7        A.  Having an employee come to a manager's office or an
     8        owner's office to have a conversation is illegal?
     9
    10   Q.   About unions?
    11        A.  To interrogate an employee about unions is illegal,
    12        yes.
    13
    14   Q.   I think you said at one of the stores you were referring to
    15        you could not even talk to them about unions or it could be
    16        assumed you that you were -----
    17        A.  Wait a minute.  You are taking things totally out of
    18        context.  Ask me questions but do not tell me what I have
    19        said because I know what I have said, and this is an area
    20        that I do have a fair amount of knowledge about, so do not
         tell me what I have said.
    22
    23   Q.   I believe that you said on a previous occasion -- if you
    24        want to ---
    25
    26   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Yes, I think we should -----
    27
    28   MS. STEEL:  -- correct me, I have not a clue where it is, to be
    29        honest, but if the witness believes I am wrong, he can say
    30        so.  I believe that when I asked you on a previous
    31        occasion -----
    32
    33   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  No, can you pause there, please?  I do not
    34        particularly want to go hunting through the transcript, but
    35        if you and the witness have a different recollection of
    36        what is said, we cannot proceed on one basis rather than
    37        another.
    38
    39   MS. STEEL:  No, I understand that.
    40
    MR. JUSTICE BELL:  We actually have to see what was said.
    42
    43   MS. STEEL:  I understand that.
    44
    45   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I appreciate it is tiresome and takes time,
    46        but it is the only way we can do it.
    47
    48   MS. STEEL:  If he does not accept it then -----
    49
    50   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  You do not have to pursue it; you can ask 
    51        again what the situation is, if you wish. 
    52 
    53   MS. STEEL (To the witness):  I believe you said on a previous
    54        occasion (and you can say if I am incorrect in believing
    55        this), when I asked you whether you had enquired amongst
    56        crew members why they were interested in joining a union,
    57        you said that asking them any questions about the union or
    58        that kind of question about the union could be construed as
    59        trying to influence the election and that would be illegal.
    60        A.  In general, you are right, but you need to give me some