Chapter Ninety Nine: Defensive Strategy

/ If you want to change the world,

just change yourself.

The world needs traitors. 

-- Bauvard, Some Inspiration for

the Overenthusiastic /

INT. THE COURTROOM OF THE JUDICIAL AND BAR COUNCIL - DAY

The trial of the century continues with the Respondents due to cross examine the Petitioner's latest witness, the Chief Labor Negotiator of the Labor Assembly of the Kenwit Flasks Ltd. The Barrister representing the Tenth Kingdom is now ready to approach the bench for his questions.

BARRISTER

(asks while holding several papers)

Mr. Chief Labor Negotiator, as a leader of your Labor Assembly, can you inform this honorable court if you have regular access to the financial records of the Company?

 CHIEF LABOR NEGOTIATOR

(looked sideways to the Council Chairman, then answered)

When there is an existing negotiation for a wage and salary increase, the Company usually furnish the Labor Assembly a copy of related financial information as mandated by our Royal Charter.

BARRISTER

(reading from the printout)

And based on that financial records needed to settle wage and salary disputes, is the Labor Assembly competent to know the overall financial health of the Company?

CHIEF LABOR NEGOTIATOR

(shooks his head)

No. We are only informed of the bottom line figures and details of direct labor costs, as well as the macroeconomic data provided by the Principality that is needed to assess current labor standards and practices that will justify the increase in wages and salary.

BARRISTER

(looked at the Petitioner's side)

In short, you have no idea how the Company is being financially managed because you are not competent enough to make this detetmination, aside from the fact that you have limited information to even make this vital assessment. Is this a fair assessment?

The Petitioners were quick to react, and posed an objection for being speculative, which was later on overruled by the Council Chairman. The witness was ordered to answer the question.

CHIEF LABOR NEGOTIATOR

(nods)

This is a fair statement.

BARRISTER

(walked towards the bench)

Your Rightful Honors, it is through the Petitioners' initiative that presented this witness to testify on the economic impact of the Cause of Action being alleged in this particular case. That being said on our end, Mr. Chief Labor Negotiator, can you say with confidence that you are not competent as well to determine with certainty that the Treaty of Gawkins did in fact injure economic interests of your Principality as part of your testimony to this honorable court, do you say that this is correct, too?

CHIEF LABOR NEGOTIATOR

(agrees with reservation)

I was asked here to testify on the impact of our Company's performance with respect to the settlement of labor disputes, which may later on lead to retrenchment once the performance of the Company was proven to be experiencing extended financial loses. I cannot testify for the way the Company management handles the operations of running the business.

BARRISTER

(grins)

Yes, of course. Mr. Witness, can you please testify for the Bar if you are familiar with the provisions of the Treaty of Gawkins?

CHIEF LABOR NEGOTIATOR

I do. Although I have no legal background, I am familiar with it.

BARRISTER

And do you understand the parameters of the economic impact necessary as written in the Treaty of Gawkins which may apply to this Cause of Action?

CHIEF LABOR NEGOTIATOR

With regards to the economic and legal effects on labor salary and wages, yes.

BARRISTER

(nodding)

There is an economic effect that applies to your particular case but you are not competent enough to say if the Treaty of Gawkins may be invoked in the pretext of your present conditions. Can you tell the Bar if this is fair to say?

CHIEF LABOR NEGOTIATOR

Yes.

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This Chapter is sponsored by Versace.