Day 142 - 26 Jun 95 - Page 43
1 A. In the early 80s.
2
3 Q. When did you open up in Germany, approximately,
4 1970 -- before you joined?
5 A. I do not recall because my first trip to Germany would
6 have been in the early 80s, and that is when I would have
7 first taken notice of Germany.
8
9 Q. I think you may have referred to it in your
10 evidence-in-chief, but I think something like early 70s,
11 you said?
12 A. I know that England -- I remember the English opening
13 vividly.
14
15 Q. 74?
16 A. Yes.
17
18 MR. RAMPTON: I think the evidence so far is that Germany was
19 the first European McDonald's to open before October 1974.
20
21 THE WITNESS: OK. What I am testifying to is that when I first
22 came, start coming over to Germany, there were works
23 councils in McDonald's stores at that time. So, I am
24 trying to give it to you from my knowledge and information
25 of what I was aware of or what I was told when I first came
26 over in the 80s.
27
28 MR. MORRIS: So what are you saying? Are you saying that the
29 controversy or conflict or dispute around the workers
30 councils in 85/86, whichever Eva Marie Sachse talks about,
31 was because of a regression by McDonald's from
32 previous ---
33 A. No, not at all, sir.
34
35 Q. -- behaviour?
36 A. There were works councils in some stores and there are
37 issues over, I think, the formation of new ones, if
38 I recall correctly, as to whether or not they are properly
39 form or not properly formed. That is my recollection. It
40 had to do with some additional ones. There were some that
41 were being formed correctly and I think there were some
42 issues over those that were not being formed correctly.
43
44 Q. Then in that letter it goes on to say: "The relation
45 between McDonald's and the union NGG is now within the
46 range of what is normal between the bigger restaurant
47 businesses and our union. This also means that we still
48 take controversial positions with respect to the working
49 conditions of works councils and the development of
50 collective bargaining regulations." This letter was
51 submitted by Eva Marie Sachse?
52 A. Yes, I thought it was submitted by this gentleman.
53
54 Q. Yes, sorry, it was written, I think, at McDonald's behest
55 for this case?
56 A. OK, I do not know that.
57
58 Q. I am sure Mr. Rampton will clarify that if it is not the
59 case.
60
