Day 006 - 05 Jul 94 - Page 59
1 A. To represent people, represent individuals.
2 Q. For what purpose?
A. Could be almost anything.
3
Q. So, say a bit more about what you understand trade unions'
4 functions are in society?
A. They are to represent people; that is what their
5 function is.
6 Q. Politicians would claim to represent people, or lots of
people could claim to represent people. Do trade unions
7 have a specific purpose?
A. Well, I have no real experience with them. I have
8 never been asked to deal with them, work with them. I am
sorry, I do not have any first hand experience to
9 communicate from. They are representatives of people.
10 MR. JUSTICE BELL: It is a very difficult question, is it not,
because ---
11
MR. MORRIS: All right, then I will ask a leading question.
12
MR. JUSTICE BELL: -- because some unions may restrict
13 themselves to matters which are strictly related to work;
others do that but would like to play on a wider political
14 stage as well. Presumably, it varies from union to union.
15 MR. MORRIS: Would you say then one of the functions of a trade
union would be to -- well, the main function would be to
16 represent employees?
A. It could be; there are management unions as well,
17 I think. I do not know that it is an employee management
thing. It could cover almost anything.
18
MR. JUSTICE BELL: They are all employees?
19 A. Of somebody, sure.
20 MR. MORRIS: You may just not know, that may be the position.
A. I do not know how to answer your question.
21
Q. Say, for example, the Transport & General Workers union
22 (which has made some very small contact with your
organisation) wanted to represent your employees, what
23 kind of functions would they be taking up? What kind of
interest?
24 A. I cannot imagine they have an interest.
25 Q. You are just not aware?
A. I do not see any reason for them in a McDonald's
26 employer/employee relationship. I think I said once
before I have been around the company some 30 years
27 working and doing virtually everything there was to be
done. I myself have never been approached by an
28 individual about the issue.
29 The programmes we have in place of communications, be they
written or be they oral via rap sessions and crew
30 meetings, seem to be the answer people are striving for.
In this day and age I think most individuals find it
