Day 145 - 29 Jun 95 - Page 07

     
     1        drop in the number of employees?
     2        A.  I do not know specifically, but I can tell you that
     3        while the net result was the numbers that whatever appear
     4        on the page, we are constantly opening up new stores that
     5        may or may not be Company stores.  We are selling Company
     6        stores to operators.  We are buying back Company stores
     7        from owner/operators, and the volume of those stores can be
     8        greatly different depending upon what part of the country
     9        it is and, correspondingly, the number of employees can be
    10        significantly different.  Those are things that are in
    11        constant motion within the organisation.
    12
    13   Q.   Mr. Stein, I suggest to you that at least part of the
    14        reason for that drop is that you are trying to cut crew to
    15        cut your costs?
    16        A.  Excuse me?
    17
    18   Q.   I suggest to you that at least part of the reason for that
    19        big drop is that you are trying to cut crew to cut costs?
    20        A.  Not at all.  I totally disagree with that.
    21
    22   Q.   I am leaving that document.
    23
    24   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Yes.
    25
    26   MR. MORRIS:  Just one further question on the working at speed
    27        at the front counter:  Some of the products which people
    28        would be carrying to the front counter would be extremely
    29        hot, would they not?
    30        A.  Anything that would be extremely hot is in a cup with a
    31        container on it.  Before -- they are instructed and trained
    32         -- if you have our training tape, you can pull up the
    33        training tape on this -- that before you move that cup you
    34        put a lid on it.
    35
    36   Q.   But if somebody bumps into someone else and knocks a drink
    37        over them and the lid comes off, they could be scalded,
    38        could they not?
    39        A.  I would hope the lid would remain on even if dropped.
    40
    Q.   But you know, do you not, that you have had over 700 claims
    42        for burns from the coffee, for example?
    43        A.  I know there -- by customers?
    44
    45   Q.   By customers.
    46        A.  I know there have been a number.  I do not know the
    47        specific number.  I do not handle that area.  I know there
    48        have been a number of claims.
    49
    50   Q.   Has McDonald's reduced the temperature of their coffee now 
    51        since the recent controversy? 
    52 
    53   MR. RAMPTON:  My Lord, I am not sure this is straying into
    54        forbidden territory.
    55
    56   MR. MORRIS:  No, it is about workers.
    57
    58   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Direct it to the workers then.
    59
    60   MR. RAMPTON:  Suggest a temperature which is dangerous.