Day 143 - 27 Jun 95 - Page 31


     
     1        something like that.
     2
     3   Q.   So, effectively, they are forced to eat McDonald's meals?
     4        A.  Oh, you are getting beyond what I can talk about.  I am
     5        not familiar with the practice of employee meals in London,
     6        in England, and I would suggest, I think, Sid has
     7        testified, I am assuming you have discussed the English
     8        practice with him and what their reasons are and what their
     9        reasons are not in this area.  It is not for me; I do not
    10        get into that kind of thing.
    11
    12   MR. MORRIS:  What about the lack of overtime paid by the UK
    13        Company to its employees?  Is that something which you have
    14        brought up with them?
    15        A.  No, that would be their decision.
    16
    17   Q.   You would not look into that?
    18        A.  No.  If you recall, each country is operated by a
    19        Managing Director.  The Managing Director is expected to
    20        fit into the laws and customs of the country, and from
    21        there they are expected to manage the operation and do what
    22        they think is fit and reasonable and appropriate.
    23
    24   Q.   If the custom in the country is that overtime should be
    25        paid and McDonald's are not paying overtime, would that
    26        concern you, that one of your subsidiaries was going
    27        against the culture of a country?
    28        A.  There are things that are dictated by laws.  There are
    29        things that are dictated by culture.  They can best choose
    30        which path to follow.  I am not going to substitute an
    31        American's judgment for another country's judgment.
    32
    33   MR. JUSTICE BELL:   Mr. Morris, this is not directed at you
    34        asking Mr. Stein any more questions on it, but do not
    35        assume that I know that it is customary to pay overtime
    36        rates any longer in this country.  I know perfectly well
    37        that it was at one time.  I know, no doubt, some employers
    38        do, no doubt some do not.  I know that some employers have
    39        employees working very long hours at times, do not pay them
    40        any extra money at all, but they take it off as extra
    41        leave.
    42
    43        In other words, you work an extra six hours one week, you
    44        may work an extra six hours 10 weeks in a row, then you
    45        have 60 hours which is, say, eight days which is added to
    46        your annual leave.  So, do not assume that -- ask a witness
    47        in due course if they can help on what the custom is
    48        nowadays.
    49
    50   MR. MORRIS:  If you can get out the Defendants bundle kingfisher 
    51        4?  Sorry, one question before we go to that file. 
    52 
    53   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Ask your question.
    54
    55   MR. MORRIS:  So your flying visits around the world to do with
    56        Human Resources do not extend to advising McDonald's in
    57        those countries that they should be concerned about
    58        employee rights that might be not available in those
    59        countries?
    60        A.  My Lord -----

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