Fate of Co-op staff left in boss’s hands

Grim task of selecting men spared call-up

Major Alston suggested the society could re-arrange their staff or even close some of the smaller shops to free up men of military age for service at the front.

Mr MacPherson said out of the 30 men of military age, 13 had been rejected on medical grounds.

He was against closing the smaller shops, pointing out that they each employed only one man and the least they drew in was £175 a week.

Mr MacPherson explained that the Friars Street shop had revenue of £300 a week and “must have a responsible party in charge”. They could not have a staff composed entirely of females, he told the tribunal.

He accused the tribunal of wanting to take away his experienced men, the “sergeantmajors” of the organisation, and leave him with raw recruits.

Mr MacPherson believed the loss of so many men would weaken the organisation allowing rival grocers to cash in.

However, the tribunal chairman said he was looking at the matter “entirely from the point of view of trade and not a bit from the national stand-point”. Men were required for the Army and some of the Co-op staff of military age would have to go.

After considering the matter in private, the chairman said they intended to take seven of 12 available men but allowed Mr MacPherson to select those he wanted to retain.

Mr MacPherson said: “That is not a very nice job you have given me.”

Personal claims were heard on behalf of two men. Conditional exemption was continued for one of the head assistants in the gent’s clothing department. A tailor, a 39-year-old single man, appealed on personal grounds stating he had to support his mother and sister. The sister had left her job to look after the mother.

Major Alston said his information was that the sister only left her employment “last Thursday”. Conditional exemption was withdrawn and a month allowed.

Mr MacPherson was requested to “send eight men up to the Castle for medical examination” and the tribunal would take seven.