Day 268 - 24 Jun 96 - Page 33
1 1991, Mr. Patel made an originating application to the
2 Industrial Tribunal complaining of racial discrimination
3 and unfair dismissal. That is page 1729 now. He gave Mr.
4 Neil Blazie and McDonald's Restaurants Limited, that is the
5 second Plaintiff, as the name of the employer, personal
6 body that he was complaining about. He said that the job
7 he did for the employer was second assistant. He said that
8 his normal basic hours worked per week were 48-50. His
9 basic wage or salary was £470 per fortnight. He began his
10 employment on the 16th November, 1987 and he was
11 complaining of a matter on the 18th December 90.
12
13 MR. MORRIS: There seems to be some date in the bottom
14 right-hand corner which you cannot read.
15
16 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Do not worry about that.
17
18 MR. ATKINSON: I believe the statement was faxed on the 14th
19 March. I can just make that out at the top. So it would
20 be around the 14th March.
21
22 MR. JUSTICE BELL: It seems to me that is sufficient
23 introduction, summary of what is to be read in, and then
24 you go to page 1731, I suggest Mr. Morris.
25
26 MR. MORRIS: Yes. Thank you. I will just read this.
27
28 "I believe that I have been treated less favourably due to
29 my race, colour, ethnic or national origin by both
30 McDonald's and Neil Blazie, my supervisor, for the
31 following reasons.
32 1. I began working at McDonald's on the 16th November 1987
33 as a crew member in Liverpool. After 6 months I applied
34 for a trainee management position. I was successful and
35 was promoted. I worked in Liverpool for two years between
36 1988-1990. During that time I never received a warning.
37 2. January 1990 I moved to Wolverhampton. I was based in
38 the Penn Road Store which is a modern drive-thru store and
39 Neil Blazie became my supervisor. From the time I arrived
40 it was common knowledge that the other Wolverhampton store
41 in Dudley Street was a problem, in terms of both staff and
42 customers.
43 3. During my time at the Penn Road store, Neil Blazie gave
44 me two written warnings, both of which I refused to sign as
45 I believe that Neil was deliberately picking on me because
46 of my colour. The first warning was issued because I had
47 bagged up about £1,700 in one bag rather than £1,500. I
48 explained to Neil why I had done this. However, he refused
49 to listen and issued me with a warning.
50 4. The second warning I received was for an incident which
51 happened whilst I was not at work. I had finished a
52 morning shift and gone on to a local bar. Whilst there I
53 saw a crew member who should have been at work. I
54 approached her and told her she should be at work as she
55 did not appear to be sick. She refused, so I thought I
56 would leave the matter until following day as I was not on
57 duty. However, someone else had seen the woman, Khalmajit,
58 and reported me to Neil Blazie. Both of us were called in
59 to see the supervisor. Khalmajit resigned immediately.
60 However, Neil Blazie refused to hear my side of the story
