Day 180 - 31 Oct 95 - Page 23
1 remember. I remember him -- his disappointment was based
2 on that fact. So, when I was unable to, you know, provide
3 substantial material, you know, substantial real extra help
4 on the spot, he was disappointed, not just for himself but
5 for the people that he had been speaking to.
6
7 He was a lay activist, let down by his trade union at an
8 early stage. But I do remember saying to him that I would
9 as soon as possible talk to other people, other activists,
10 in his trade union branch about leafleting this
11 restaurant. Because a number of us, full-time officials,
12 branch secretary, union reps in other workplaces where the
13 employer recognised a trade union, we would find time to
14 come to the restaurant. That was the objective. But it
15 was going to take time to do it, take time to organise it,
16 do it properly.
17
18 Then I heard he left, he had left. That is the next thing
19 I heard. He had left McDonald's. All over. End of
20 story. But I remember it. I remember it particularly
21 because he came across to me in my office, those two
22 occasions when I met him, came across to me, my Lord, as a
23 genuine, concerned, young individual, concerned about
24 workplace activity, workplace rights; one of many
25 individuals who sat in my office making their first contact
26 with the trade union, and I was very sorry that I was not
27 able to reciprocate his genuine concern with, if I may
28 describe it as, effective, practical support.
29
30 In my own opinion, the response of McDonald's management at
31 that unit, effectively, snubbed out his enthusiasm,
32 although I would have wished to have been able to support
33 him more.
34
35 MR. MORRIS: I would like to move on. Staff turnover: You
36 commented in your statement that if 60 per cent is true,
37 that is a very high turnover figure, McDonald's UK. If we
38 can look at the document that was disclosed, which is the
39 employment flows in the catering hospitality industry, if
40 you have a copy, which was put I think behind your
41 statement, if I give you your book you gave me -- (Handed)
42 -- it is page 13 of that book, it is your own handwriting
43 on there?
44 A. Thank you, yes, my Lord.
45
46 Q. Can you explain that table?
47 A. Page 13?
48
49 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Yes.
50 A. Table 2.5?
51
52 MR. MORRIS: Actually, if I just give a bit of an introduction,
53 it says at the top: Recruitment and turnover levels, that
54 2,472 units participated in the study with a total of
55 42,702 employees, over a three month period. Without going
56 into details, this group, the Hotel and Catering Training
57 Company, what kind of authoritative role did they play in
58 these kind of research reports?
59 A. It is, my Lord, it is the research body for the Hotel
60 and Catering Industry. It used to be the Hotel and
