Day 207 - 23 Jan 96 - Page 20
1 MS. STEEL: Mr. Henden, are complaints made by crew at rap
2 sessions taken seriously?
3 A. I believe that the statements given by the crew the
4 Managers do take on board and do take seriously, yes.
5
6 Q. You are aware, are you not, that there has been consistent
7 complaint by the crew about the breaks that they are given,
8 not getting enough breaks or that they are not at the right
9 time, too soon after they start?
10 A. No, I am not aware that there has been, as you say,
11 consistent -- there is not large force of opinion that has
12 ever been expressed to me.
13
14 Q. Are you made aware of what happens at the rap session?
15 A. I read the reports as they come back, yes.
16
17 Q. If, for example, you turn to tab 10, it starts with the rap
18 session dated 16th January 1992, and under the section on
19 food on page 190 ---
20 A. 190?
21
22 Q. -- it says: "Allowance is OK, but people have to have
23 breaks right at the start or the end of their shifts, so
24 the allowance becomes inadequate because people have to go
25 seven or eight hours without breaks."
26
27 Do you remember that?
28 A. Do I remember the rap session or do I remember -----
29
30 Q. That complaint; do you remember reading these notes at the
31 time?
32 A. I do not actually remember reading this rap session,
33 no. Well, I may have. As I say, I read the rap sessions,
34 but I do not actually remember that comment or individual
35 comments on it.
36
37 Q. You do not remember it being discussed following a rap
38 session?
39 A. No, I just do not remember it being discussed.
40
41 Q. If you turn to page 197, there is a rap session for
42 29th June 1992, and then turn to page 199, under the
43 schedule section, the third one says: "On some longer
44 shifts it is hard to get a second break"; and then, "Maybe
45 a break plan would improve the situation on Saturdays." Do
46 you remember those complaints?
47 A. Again, I do not recall these complaints.
48
49 Q. Then if you turn to page 217, which is the rap session for
50 27th July 1993 -- it says that on page 212 -- if you turn
51 to page 217, under "hours and schedule", just a little bit
52 up from the bottom, "breaks", and then it says: "Day shifts
53 generally too early." Do you remember that complaint?
54 A. No, I do not.
55
56 Q. Then on page 227, which is the rap session dated
57 17th June 1994, under "crews' facilities and benefits",
58 under "food allowance", it says: "Generally OK but needs
59 more breaks on longer shifts." Do you remember that?
60 A. No, I do not.
