Day 138 - 20 Jun 95 - Page 20
1 knowledge of this area, and if you want to ask one question
2 and allow me to speak for the rest of the day I can do so.
3
4 Q. I am conscious of that danger, Mr. Stein. Mr. Stein, can
5 I ask you about this paragraph? Does the Company have any
6 objection to a crew member in the crew room during a break
7 saying to other members of the crew that may be present at
8 the same time, enjoying the same break: "Look, I think we
9 ought to join the Teamsters Union or whatever"?
10 A. That would be their right and their privilege.
11
12 Q. One other thing on this: How often, Mr. Stein, does the
13 Company get complaints from its hourly paid workforce that
14 they feel inhibited or prevented from joining a trade
15 union?
16 A. It would be a rare, rare situation. We have spent a
17 great deal of time on unions here today. That is not
18 something that comes up very frequently in our
19 restaurants. It is not an every day thing. I think I may
20 have mentioned that if I spend 1 per cent of my entire
21 working time on such issues that would be a lot. It is not
22 a significant issue within the McDonald's American
23 framework.
24
25 Q. We think there is an Americanism called "not a big deal".
26 Is that right?
27 A. That would fit right into it, sir.
28
29 Q. Before we start travelling around the world, Mr. Stein,
30 which we will do shortly, can I ask you a little bit,
31 please, about the advice or consultancy services which you
32 say you have supplied to non-company owned restaurants in
33 America and in other parts of the world. What exactly
34 happens in such cases? If an owner/operator thinks he has
35 a problem, or whatever it may be, what is the exact nature
36 of the service which the Company provides?
37 A. OK. The Company has either locally within the country
38 or elsewhere people who have expertise in a particular area
39 whether it be -- we talking about Labour Relations right
40 now -- marketing or accounting or whatever.
41
42 Q. Stick with Labour Relations?
43 A. OK. They would have a right to seek advice and counsel
44 and to get, if you will, input so that they will have a
45 clear understanding of what their choices are so that they
46 can make their choice in an informed environment, if you
47 will.
48
49 Q. Will you tell them, for example, "You have got to use this,
50 that, or the other firm of lawyers"?
51 A. We will recommend, yes. One of things that they do rely
52 upon us a great deal is our judgment of quality law firms,
53 yes.
54
55 Q. Who pays the lawyers if there should be an NLRB dispute for
56 example?
57 A. That is paid by the owner/operator.
58
59 Q. Finally on the general topics, Mr. Stein, have you
60 submitted your employment practices to the United States
