Day 118 - 01 May 95 - Page 56
1
2 Q. I understand that line. But we are talking about the fact
3 that it is recognised in this training document that when
4 labour is running high, above presumably acceptable
5 targets, many managers automatically begin to cut
6 unit-producing hours. So is that not a recognition that
7 they are under pressure ---
8 A. No.
9
10 Q. -- to crawl to their supervisors that they are reaching the
11 labour costs?
12 A. No, what the author is trying to say there is that is
13 not acceptable practices. That is an easy answer, and it
14 is not approved of.
15
16 Q. Is not what it is saying there that they should be cutting
17 these unit-producing hours continuously rather than leaving
18 it to a crisis?
19
20 MR. JUSTICE BELL: No, it is not the way I am reading it.
21
22 THE WITNESS: It is not saying that at all.
23
24 MR. MORRIS: Well that is what it says. If you look at the
25 previous page, that paragraph you read to yourself under
26 the box, that is where I already asked you about this
27 not -----
28
29 MR. JUSTICE BELL: I read them rather separately. It seems to
30 me at the moment they are dealing with a different
31 problem. They may be components of the same potential
32 problem.
33
34 MR. MORRIS: But there is a concern, is there not, that cutting
35 labour costs should not affect sales? That is part of
36 concern is it not?
37 A. No, it does not say that anywhere.
38
39 MR. JUSTICE BELL: What it seems to me is you want to keep your
40 labour costs down in so far as you can consistently with
41 the efficient management of your business?
42 A. Absolutely my Lord.
43
44 Q. There are two things to keep an eye open for. Do not get
45 so in a fuss about ---
46 A. Panic Committee.
47
48 Q. -- reaching your target that you get into a panic with a day
49 to go, and say, "no one is going to work tomorrow", or "we
50 will only have quarter of our staff here" because that is
51 daft thing to do, so far as that selection is concerned.
52 A. Yes.
53
54 Q. Before you cut the number of useful hours you have people
55 working you think about the effect that might have on your
56 customers ---
57 A. Absolutely.
58
59 Q. -- which is page 597?
60 A. That is what it is saying sir. That is absolutely
