Day 192 - 27 Nov 95 - Page 14


     
     1        I mean, now he knows what it's like to feel intimidated,
     2        and how he made the crew feel.  I got great satisfaction
     3        out of that.
     4
     5        "After Cam's speech there was a slide show - which they
     6        played twice - with 'Just Say No' buttons and everybody
     7        goofing off at work.  People wanted to change their minds
     8        about the union, because they were scared of losing their
     9        jobs.  People were very intimidated and scared - and
    10        brainwashed, too.  The slide show was synchronised with
    11        background music like 'Shiny Happy People' and 'It's a
    12        Wonderful World'.  It's a psychological thing that
    13        McDonald's seems to have the power to be able to do.
    14        I think McDonald's has this ability to make you think that
    15        there's nothing wrong, everything's beautiful.
    16
    17        "I stood at the bottom of the steps of the church where the
    18        slide show was being held.  As people were going out, I was
    19        trying to tell them about a union meeting we were having
    20        that night.  Cam came down and stood almost right beside
    21        me, and then people wouldn't speak to me or even look at
    22        me.  I think it just shows you what management can do.  How
    23        they can intimidate people.  They wouldn't even look at me.
    24
    25        "On the day of the vote I didn't know what I was supposed
    26        to be doing, so I went out for breakfast with my
    27        committee.  Then I got on the phone with one of the
    28        lawyers, and he said, you'd better be on the phone with
    29        people, making sure that they have rides, especially the
    30        ones who you think are going to vote yes.  So I was trying
    31        to do that, but the media just flooded my house, and my
    32        phone, and I couldn't seem to get anything done."
    33
    34        Further down the column:
    35
    36        "I said, even if we don't win, we've already put ourselves
    37        into a win-win situation, because working conditions have
    38        changed.  McDonald's treated us like gold.  It was
    39        unbelievable how they reacted to the union coming in."
    40
    41        That is the last section I have picked out.  Is that all
    42        true and based on your experience?
    43        A.  Yes.
    44
    45   Q.   And you stand by it now?
    46        A.  Yes.
    47
    48   Q.   When you started at McDonald's, do you remember what wage
    49        you were on?
    50        A.  I think it was five cents from the minimum wage, so it 
    51        was $4.55, I think.  It was either $4.55 or $4.60 an hour. 
    52 
    53   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I am afraid you are going to have to keep
    54        your voice up.  Speak out loud and clear.
    55
    56   MR. MORRIS:  You can put that away if you want.
    57
    58   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Put that on the side table, if you like.  Do
    59        speak up.
    60        A.  I believe I was making $4.55 or $4.60.  I do not

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