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.

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