Day 118 - 01 May 95 - Page 46
1 of hours worked?
2 A. No, I would say that would be most difficult.
3
4 Q. You were starting to say they used to be able tell which
5 were full-time and which were part-time from the clock
6 cards?
7 A. Yes, well, since then they have brought in a fully
8 computerised system. There will be a schedule of hours
9 that everybody works. The manager would keep a list of
10 that in his office, so he could tell from that what they
11 are scheduled to work. I am not sure -- I have never
12 worked with this computerised system -- I am not sure how
13 they then check that, but Lyn Mead would be able to tell
14 you.
15
16 Q. When did the computerised system come in?
17 A. I think we have a report of it somewhere in one of the
18 papers. I think it came in '91. I think it is one of the
19 affidavits that I made. It says there I got that from the
20 Head of Information Services when the switch took place
21 from clock cards to computer.
22
23 MR. JUSTICE BELL: What are we on with whether they are
24 full-time or part-time? What is the complaint there?
25 I understand that there may be a complaint that people are
26 not guaranteed a certain number of hours a week in that
27 they can find they have a very short week and, therefore,
28 not much money all of a sudden.
29
30 MS. STEEL: Part-time workers have less employment rights, do
31 they not?
32 A. I do not think so.
33
34 Q. For example, according to the Crew Handbook, I think in
35 order to get maternity ------
36
37 MR. JUSTICE BELL: The law has changed but they had to work
38 longer before they got any protection, did they not?
39
40 MS. STEEL: Yes. (To the witness): Do you know that?
41 A. No.
42
43 Q. You do not know about that?
44 A. They are treated all the same at McDonald's. I do not
45 know what the legal requirements are, but in McDonald's
46 they are treated exactly the same, part-time and full-time;
47 they get the same benefits.
48
49 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Why not put it to him directly if there is a
50 point you have in mind, Ms. Steel? (To the witness): If
51 they were part-time their ability to apply to an industrial
52 tribunal for unfair termination of their contract would be
53 much more limited than full-time workers?
54 A. Yes, I think possibly that would be the case, my Lord.
55
56 Q. That is one thing?
57 A. That is one instance.
58
59 MR. JUSTICE BELL: But if there are other matters, put it to him
60 so I can understand how they might be at a disadvantage.
