Day 121 - 04 May 95 - Page 27
1 McDonald's. But, once you have asked him that once, you
2 have served that purpose and it is a great risk it just
3 dissolves into argument and comment if one presses it
4 further.
5
6 Since I have stopped you by saying that, just take a moment
7 to set off again on what I suggest is another topic. You
8 can address me all you want about what you say is an unfair
9 balance in McDonald's system.
10
11 MR. MORRIS: Yes. I am sorry. I might have interrupted
12 Ms. Steel in her line of questioning.
13
14 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Yes.
15
16 MS. STEEL: Just going back to where we were; you said they were
17 fully flexible if they have indicated they can work any
18 hours?
19 A. Yes, but people have to be reasonable in interpreting
20 that.
21
22 Q. Can you just explain what you mean by that?
23 A. Well, just that, the management in asking them to work
24 whatever hours he wants them to work has to be reasonable.
25 You have to bear in mind that when they say they are fully
26 flexible, there has to be some order to their life.
27 I mean, I would be very unhappy if a manager was asking
28 fully flexible people to work a whole range of unsocial
29 hours. When they say they are fully flexible, I think they
30 are being very helpful and, in return, we should be helpful
31 towards them. As long as they are given at least, I think
32 it is, seven days notice when the schedule goes up, and
33 they have an opportunity to come back and say: "Well, you
34 have posted me 4.00 to close on Thursday; I would like to
35 do on open" and the Manager tries to accommodate them, that
36 is acceptable.
37
38 Q. But in terms of hours, do you state anywhere in the
39 contract: "We guarantee that you will be paid for at least
40 30 hours every week" ---
41 A. No, you have read the -----
42
43 Q. -- "barring any catastrophe", or something like that?
44 A. No, you have read the Crew Handbook; it is not in
45 there.
46
47 Q. Right. So they do not have any guaranteed rights on that
48 front, any policy that is absolutely unbreachable?
49 A. On what front?
50
51 Q. On the front of how many hours they get to -----
52
53 MR. JUSTICE BELL: There is not a guaranteed minimum that you
54 would get paid? There is not a guaranteed minimum that you
55 will get paid each week, come what may?
56 A. No, it is not laid down, no, not at all, but we are
57 reasonable.
58
59 MS. STEEL: So, effectively the powers is left in the hands of
60 the management?
