Day 156 - 17 Jul 95 - Page 06

     
     1        wants to go on break, as long as the Manager knew.
     2
     3   Q.   Even if it was in the middle of a busy period?
     4        A.  Well, that is where Managers had to use a bit of
     5        discretion because if, say, for example, the crew member
     6        did not want to go on break at a specific time, also the
     7        crew member would not really ask to go on break during
     8        lunch-time either; it was just common sense that they would
     9        not go.
    10
    11   Q.   Because they would not be allowed to go?
    12        A.  No, that is not the case because sometimes on Saturdays
    13        when you have 40 people, if you can afford to send people
    14        on break at five past one, we send them on a break.
    15
    16   Q.   If crew had asked to go during a busy period, you would
    17        have said to them:  "Look, you cannot go now; you are
    18        needed on the station you are working on"?
    19        A.  It depends on the situation on that particular day; if
    20        we could afford to, yes, they would.
    21
    22   Q.   But if you could not, then they would have to wait?
    23        A.  Yes.
    24
    25   Q.   You actually said in your second statement that eight or
    26        nine hours was the most that you would schedule someone to
    27        work; is that correct?
    28        A.  Yes.
    29
    30   Q.   Just one general question:  Do you actually know that the
    31        previous Manager was dismissed?  Do you know that for sure?
    32        A.  From what I recall, yes.
    33
    34   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  It could only be because you were told -- was
    35        it?
    36        A.  Yes.
    37
    38   Q.   That is no criticism of you, Mr. Giardina, because you have
    39        been asked questions about it, but I have no evidence which
    40        is admissible in this court as to the circumstances in
         which he left.  It is hearsay.
    42
    43   MS. STEEL:  Is it right that there was a target of £1,000
    44        takings per hour on Saturdays?
    45        A.  No.
    46
    47   Q.   Perhaps during the busier periods?
    48        A.  Are you talking about takings in total or individual
    49        takings?
    50 
    51   Q.   I do not know.  Was there a target set, any kind of target 
    52        set, on Saturdays? 
    53        A.  Well, not really because targets, once they were met,
    54        you have another target so, yes, there was always targets
    55        and they were always being met.
    56
    57   Q.   We have heard from other witnesses about competitions and
    58        things like that to motivate the crew to take more or to
    59        work harder, whatever, was there something like that going
    60        on at the Seven Sisters store?