Day 247 - 10 May 96 - Page 25


     
     1        bigger with the after probation period, and then they are
     2        off to increases, I would not agree with that at all.
     3
     4   Q.   We have had all this before, Mr. Preston, but it is not
     5        after a few days and it is not guaranteed that they will
     6        get a pay rise; is it?
     7        A.  It is guaranteed that they will be reviewed and most
     8        people do get increases after their probation period, yes.
     9
    10   MR. MORRIS:  We are talking about the basic rate upon which
    11        everything else is based?
    12
    13   MR. JUSTICE BELL: Do you need to pursue it with the witness
    14        because, at the end of the day, it is for me to decide, in
    15        so far as it is relevant, whether it is a good increase.
    16        You may say,:  Yes, but the chief executive's attitude may
    17        be relevant, and he said that he would not agree that it is
    18        not much of a rise.  How much further can you go with Mr.
    19        Preston on that?
    20
    21   MS. STEEL:  If I ask one thing:  You said that you did not agree
    22        that it was not much of a rise given the market and the
    23        conditions.  Are you basically saying that you cannot
    24        afford to pay your workers any more than that?
    25        A.  No, I did not say that at all.  I said we live in a
    26        competitive world where we are competing on the street for
    27        employees with many other shops, be they grocery stores, or
    28        jewellery stores, or be they other quick service restaurant
    29        businesses, and if we did not pay a competitive rate to
    30        people, we would not hire people, they would go elsewhere.
    31
    32   Q.   But if you had increased your basic rate by 20 pence, or 30
    33        pence, 40 pence, 50 pence, that would not deter people from
    34        joining your company; would it?
    35        A.  No.
    36
    37   Q.   So, when you talk about the market rates and being
    38        influenced by competitors, you are basically talking about
    39        keeping the wages as low as you can but just about enough
    40        so that you will be able to get the people to work the
    41        stations to produce the food?
    42        A.  Ms. Steel, I do not make the market.  There are
    43        hundreds of businesses on the High Street out there in
    44        competition for people.  I do not have that kind of power.
    45        I never have had, and I dare say I never will have.
    46
    47   Q.   No, but you do have the power to put wages up?
    48
    49   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Why not put it this way, which might be less
    50        contentious but I think is the answer you are seeking.  Ask 
    51        Mr. Preston, I suggest, whether he pays any more than the 
    52        market requires him to? 
    53
    54   MS. STEEL:  Is that correct?  Do you pay any more than the
    55        market requires you to?
    56
    57   MR. JUSTICE BELL: (To the witness):  You do not pay any more
    58        than the market requires you to.  That is the suggestion
    59        which is being put?
    60        A.  As a rule, yes, I think there probably are some stores,

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