Day 125 - 12 May 95 - Page 27
1
2 Q. This is the summary by Andrew Foster. It says in the top
3 paragraph: "The Company's commitment to achieving good
4 standards of health and safety performance were not as
5 clearly expressed as, for example, its commitment to
6 quality, service, cleanliness and value. These are
7 considered the cornerstones of McDonald's business, but the
8 example of how hustle was interpreted demonstrates that
9 health and safety were considered as secondary in the
10 provision of a 'quality service'".
11
12 MR. JUSTICE BELL: It is page 862 as well at the bottom.
13 Perhaps 828 is the main section and 862 is the part of the
14 conclusion.
15
16 MR. MORRIS: Yes, at the top of page 829 referring to "hustle"
17 the Health & Safety Executive Report says: "It provides a
18 good illustration of the culture in the Company and the
19 importance of good communication in the organisation. Its
20 application had resulted in a conflict between operational
21 requirements and safety where the need to get the product
22 to the customer and to maximise sales in competition with
23 other stores had taken precedence". By that they mean
24 precedence over the safety of employees. Do you not feel
25 that a report by a body, a UK body, the top statutory body,
26 as far as I understand, in the UK regarding health and
27 safety of employees, should have come to your attention
28 when it looked in such detail at the application of
29 something that was a cornerstone of your corporate culture
30 or corporate activity on the ground, hustle, in fact, in
31 this case? Do not you feel that should have come to your
32 attention?
33 A. Well, I would say it this way: It depends -- my
34 interpretation is that, yes, hustle is a very important
35 part of our culture around the world but, as we develop
36 restaurants in different countries, we certainly want to be
37 compliant with all laws and regulations, as I have
38 indicated earlier.
39
40 My interpretation of hustle is one that I have indicated
41 earlier. It does not mean that we are trying to compromise
42 the safety and health of our employees in servicing
43 customers or running various pieces of equipment. That is
44 not the intent. It is not the intent in the United
45 States. It is not the intent as we develop our systems
46 worldwide.
47
48 You know, I can just say, I cannot imagine my partners here
49 in the UK normally want to violate any regulations or
50 laws. I think the philosophy of having our employees to
51 work with purpose and dispatch is a good one. It does not
52 mean compromising their welfare, their safety and welfare.
53
54 MS. STEEL: Just going on to ---
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56 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Do you want to go back to the previous one?
57
58 MS. STEEL: -- the Operations and Training manual: If you turn
59 to bundle page 149, this is the sales and marketing
60 section. I presume there would have been an introduction
