Day 187 - 13 Nov 95 - Page 26
1
2 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Thank you. Do you want to ask about -----
3
4 MR. MORRIS: Paragraph E, yes. I am sure he can explain.
5 (To the witness): Can you explain what happened to the
6 judicial investigation of the Lyon McDonald's managers who
7 were arrested?
8 A. The directors of the McDonald's restaurants, at the
9 moment of the works councils elections, brought together
10 all the employees to tell them that if they voted for the
11 CFDT the management would have to sack them, and, if they
12 did not want to be sacked, they would be put under
13 pressure. It is for this reason that these employees went
14 to give evidence at the police station and in front of the
15 works inspectorate.
16
17 Q. But what happened to the investigation, the judicial
18 investigation?
19 A. He says the investigation was positive, since the
20 directors were put under investigation.
21
22 MR. JUSTICE BELL: But what he says at the -----
23
24 MR. MORRIS: What was the outcome of it?
25
26 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Yes. Ask Mr. Lamti what has happened to the
27 investigation now. I am sorry, I have fallen into the trap
28 I have been warning everyone else against. What has
29 happened to the investigation now?
30 A. This year in France we have had presidential
31 elections. Everything that comes under the penal code
32 before judgment has all been amnestied, be it for driving
33 fines; each new president allows an amnesty.
34
35 MR. MORRIS: Is there any current legal action?
36 A. Yes.
37
38 Q. Can you just explain what current cases -- what are the
39 current cases?
40 A. For example, the workers, from the industrial
41 tribunals, about problems in their payslips.
42
43 Q. Right.
44 A. At the moment, there are about 15 hearings actually
45 taking place.
46
47 Q. Are they on various matters?
48 A. Payslips, redundancy -- several problems.
49
50 MR. JUSTICE BELL: What did he say after "payslips"?
51
52 THE INTERPRETER: "Redundancy".
53
54 MR. MORRIS: These cases have be brought by who?
55 A. It is the employees.
56
57 Q. Right. Are there any cases against you?
58 A. I have never been asked to appear before the
59 magistrate. Therefore, McDonald's Lyon have said that they
60 will be taking action against him. However, this has never
