Day 119 - 02 May 95 - Page 55


     
     1        hanging your hat on here by putting to him:  "Was such and
     2        such a matter of complaint or was there a trend to
     3        complaints about this topic or the other?"  If you just
     4        ask: "What particular trends were there?" I cannot see that
     5        it is a topic where you have a peg to hang your hat on.
     6
     7   MR. MORRIS:  The reason I am saying that is not because I want
     8        to know every trend, but because I do not believe actually
     9        that the Company is interested in staff grievances.  They
    10        do not compile information, they do not take any action,
    11        and it is very much to what happens in the store, whether
    12        it happens or not.  The reason I am asking Mr. Nicholson is
    13        because I am giving him the opportunity to say:  "Yes, we
    14        do know that there was a trend in this" -----
    15
    16   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  He has answered both those in the way you
    17        would like him to answer.  They do not have any formal
    18        gathering of information about trends or grievances.  He
    19        does not recall any particular trends or none come to mind
    20        in May 1995.  So, if that is the point you are making, you
    21        have the answers you want.
    22
    23   MR. MORRIS:  So where, for example, it turns out after much
    24        application from the Defence that you do compile statistics
    25        to some extent on accidents at work and trends, i.e. which
    26        areas of the store have the most accidents, you do not do a
    27        similar job for crew members' grievances or conditions, is
    28        that correct, for any crew members' grievances or
    29        conditions, whether as Ombudsman or Head of Personnel or
    30        whatever?
    31        A.  They would be dealt with -- no, no, the Ombudsman would
    32        not; they would be dealt with locally, crew grievances.
    33
    34   Q.   The difference between crew members' general grievances and
    35        accidents, reportable accidents, is that accidents
    36        reportable are reportable by law; is that correct?
    37        A.  Some are, yes.
    38
    39   Q.   The ones that are reported by law are the ones that are
    40        compiled as information?
    41        A.  Yes.
    42
    43   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I think I have to add, from my own knowledge,
    44        that the other reason for recording accidents, quite apart
    45        from those which are reportable by law, is that any
    46        sensible employer realises there may at some stage, up to
    47        three years in the future and in some circumstances even
    48        later than that, be action seeking compensation by
    49        somebody?
    50        A.  Yes, there is a requirement to keep the accident book 
    51        for three years. 
    52 
    53   Q.   So it is sensible to make a record in -----
    54        A.  I believe Jill Barnes is compiling an examination of
    55        accidents.
    56
    57   MR. MORRIS:  Is the Crew Handbook available in any other
    58        language apart from English to crew members?
    59        A.  I do not think so.
    60

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