Day 216 - 06 02 96 - Page 6

 
 

                                                                  DAY 216
 
                                            KATHERINE HARRISON, Examined:
 
 
 
     1        "There were frequent problems with the filtering machine at
     2        Colchester.  No one seemed to bother about getting a new
     3        one.  You had to mess about to get it to work, and had to
     4        tear filter papers.  Fat would be poured down the sink or
     5        drain.  I remember occasions when this led to sewage in the
     6        kitchen area.  I remember a couple of occasions when people
     7        mopped up sewage in the kitchen area whilst cooking and
     8        food preparation carried on.  The store was not closed.
     9
    10        "Burns and cuts were not really taken seriously.  They were
    11        not usually put in the Accident Book.  We were told all the
    12        time to hustle.  This meant move quickly.  At the counter,
    13        people would be running, especially on Saturdays.
    14
    15        "Lettuce came in bags, shredded.  We were told to use the
    16        lettuce sparingly in small portions.  When they were short
    17        of pickles, we would be told to just use one."
    18
    19        Are you happy for that to be taken as your evidence, as
    20        well?
    21        A.  Yes.
    22
    23   Q.   Just a couple of questions.  What have you been doing since
    24        you left McDonald's?
    25        A.  I worked at the box office at the NEC Birmingham for
    26        about a year and a half.  Then I left there and moved to
    27        Colchester, had two children, and then worked part-time at
    28        Sainsbury's from August 1993 until just recently, when
    29        I moved to Clacton.
    30
    31   Q.   Right.
    32        A.  And I have not been able to find work since.
    33
    34   Q.   You still have responsibility for two young children?
    35        A.  Yes -- two young children.
    36
    37   Q.   Do you know how the pay at Sainsbury's compared with the
    38        pay at McDonald's, and the conditions?
    39        A.  The pay was a lot more generous.  The conditions were
    40        not as hustled and bustled, and "hurry up, do this, do
    41        that"; it was a more relaxed environment.  You could talk
    42        to members of management, make your feelings felt, and they
    43        would usually listen to what you had to say.  There were
    44        regular meetings, staff meetings; and just, generally, a
    45        nicer working environment.
    46
    47   MS. STEEL: I have no further questions.
    48
    49   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Thank you.
    50 
    51   MR. MORRIS:  No questions. 
    52 
    53   MR. RAMPTON:  I do not know if Mr. Morris has any questions?
    54
    55   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  No.  He has just said.
    56
    57                    Cross-examined by MR. RAMPTON Q.C.
    58
    59   MR. RAMPTON:   I have very few questions myself.
    60        Mrs. Harrison -- it is Mrs. Harrison?
 
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