Day 128 - 24 May 95 - Page 44
1 rap sessions, invariably, if there have been any problems
2 they are addressed at that crew meeting.
3
4 One of the reasons that we introduced safety circles was to
5 at this point be more positive about safety, and to cover
6 the proactive things in restaurants, as opposed to just
7 relying on people to bring up points at rap sessions.
8 Parts of what we have also introduced since is a hazard
9 spotting notice that most stores post on their crew notice
10 board where crew can make a note if they see something.
11 Some stores use that to better effect than others. Some
12 still use the informal going to a manager.
13
14 Q. But, presumably, if something such as equipment disrepair
15 is being brought up at rap sessions it is because it is not
16 being dealt with as and when it is occurring?
17 A. I am sure in some circumstances that could be the case.
18
19 Q. Just turning to page 828, paragraph 2.39: "'Hustle' is a
20 term used universally in all McDonald's restaurants, being
21 recognised by all but the newest crew members. It provides
22 a good illustration of the culture in the Company and the
23 importance of good communication in the organisation. Its
24 application had resulted in a conflict between operational
25 requirements and safety, where the need to get the product
26 to the customer and to maximise sales in competition with
27 other stores had taken precedence."
28
29 On the matter of competition, is that referring there to
30 one store taking sales from another, or is it a competition
31 between stores on who has the highest takings?
32 A. I really would not know why Andrew phrased it that way
33 -- Andrew Foster. I doubt that they would put our stores
34 in competition -----
35
36 MR. JUSTICE BELL: I will tell you the way I read it. It is not
37 that they are taking it from each other, but there is a
38 competition between them to have more sales than some other
39 store, but you cannot say?
40 A. I cannot say.
41
42 MS. STEEL: Right, but you think that would be the most likely,
43 they would not be likely to be trying to take one store's
44 business away?
45 A. I would say it is more likely to be that the aim of the
46 store is to build sales.
47
48 Q. Right. In the stores we have heard there is competition
49 between individual crew members about who can take the most
50 in an hour or things like that?
51 A. Certainly, in my experience, yes, particularly during
52 busy parts of the week it is normal to have a competitions
53 amongst till people, in particular.
54
55 Q. Have you raised this as a matter which should be looked
56 into or investigated in terms of any implications for
57 health and safety?
58 A. No, we have not.
59
60 Q. In terms of encouraging employees to work faster,
