Day 143 - 27 Jun 95 - Page 42
1 I maintain my objection to what Mr. Morris does and has
2 done throughout this case) to identify the nature of the
3 document or its source. In fact, what one should do is put
4 the question before one ever shows the witness the
5 document. I agree it saves time if the witness is allowed
6 to look at the document, but no identification of the
7 document or its source must be made.
8
9 He can be given a tab number in a file, asked to read
10 something and then Mr. Morris can ask his questions.
11
12 MR. MORRIS: I just think that is impractical.
13
14 MR. RAMPTON: It is not at all.
15
16 MR. JUSTICE BELL: If the point is taken, it is, in fact, the
17 right way to do it. So, do not let us have an argument
18 about it now. In case you are going to do it during the
19 remainder of Mr. Stein's evidence, for instance, you could
20 just ask him to read the heading, "Mr. Stein, please note
21 the date, go to the second sheet, and read the three
22 paragraphs under 'Federal Republic of Germany'". In other
23 words, use the absolute minimum, for instance, mentioning
24 Germany which it is difficult to avoid in order to show
25 where you are on the page, and then ask whether things
26 happened or not.
27
28 MR. MORRIS (To the witness): Having read that, Mr. Stein, do
29 you recall a set of agreements from 1990 that affected food
30 chains, fast-food catering chains, in Germany that affected
31 working conditions of employees in that section of the
32 industry?
33 A. I know that at some point in time we had formed an
34 employers' association that we had spear headed with
35 fast-food, other fast-food companies, and that agreements
36 were reached, an agreement with the NGG was reached. I am
37 aware of that, but no more specifics than that. I have no
38 idea if these terms are correct or incorrect.
39
40 Q. But you recall that an agreement did affect McDonald's
41 employees' conditions in some way following that agreement?
42 A. Yes.
43
44 Q. The third paragraph, do you recall any specific agreement
45 with the NGG regarding McDonald's and the formation of
46 works councils at some time around 1990?
47 A. No, I cannot. I know that there were discussions to
48 try to resolve whatever difficulties there had been from
49 time to time, but I do not know -- all I know is that our
50 people were quite pleased and happy with the results of
51 that and, apparently, the union was, and it became what
52 I call a non-issue for me. There was not anything to be
53 concerned about because it appeared that everybody was
54 quite content.
55
56 Q. Thank you. If you turn to No. 45 or 145.
57
58 MR. JUSTICE BELL: That is -----
59
60 MR. RAMPTON: That is in another file.
