Day 174 - 17 Oct 95 - Page 46


     
     1        manager to dismiss someone for a reason which you criticise
     2        and it may be another if the managing director has a part
     3        in it or goes along with it.
     4
     5   MS. STEEL:   Mr. Cullen and Mr. Trimble, having both been
     6        involved in the court case against the union in 1979 by
     7        making affidavits and also having signed the petition in
     8        1979 and being managers, would have been well aware of the
     9        Company's position regarding trade unions, would they not,
    10        that the Company preferred not to negotiate with trade
    11        unions or have dealings with trade unions?
    12        A.  Yes.  As you indicated, certainly, they would have been
    13        aware of the 1979 dispute, because they were with the
    14        Company at the time.  But I think your question is --
    15        sorry, could you -----
    16
    17   Q.   They would have been aware of the Company's preference not
    18        to negotiate with trade unions or have any dealings with
    19        trade unions?
    20        A.  No, it is not correct to say that the Company had a
    21        policy of not negotiating with trade unions.
    22
    23   Q.   I actually said "preference".
    24        A.  Yes -- because you may recall that we agreed that we
    25        would negotiate with the members in 1979.
    26
    27   Q.   Yes, when you were forced to by the Labour Court?
    28        A.  The court made recommendations.
    29
    30   Q.   Yes.  You did not jump into it voluntarily, did you?
    31        A.  No, but I think I have indicated what had been
    32        happening six months prior to that.
    33
    34   Q.   Prior to the dispute starting in 1979, you did not
    35        voluntarily negotiate with the union, and Mr. Trimble and
    36        Mr. Cullen would have been aware that you were not a
    37        Company that liked to sit down and talk to unions as and
    38        when the unions requested it?
    39        A.  They certainly were aware of the background in 1979.
    40
    41   MR. MORRIS:  Just a couple more questions, and I think we have
    42        finished.  Can you remember how much notice David Trimble
    43        gave when he left?
    44        A.  No, I am sorry, I cannot.
    45
    46   Q.   Is there some standard amount of notice that a manager
    47        should give when he leaves?
    48        A.  Yes, there is.  It is normally two weeks.
    49
    50   Q.   Two weeks? 
    51        A.  Yes. 
    52 
    53   MS. STEEL:  I have thought of one other question.  When you
    54        heard about the dismissals of Mr. McCann and Mr. Brian
    55        through Mr. Trimble, and you said you would have given him
    56        some kind of warning or something over not following the
    57        correct procedures, did you contact Mr. Brian or Mr. McCann
    58        and invite them to come back to the Company?
    59        A.  No.
    60

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