‘That’s inevitable, surely. It’s the nature of the beast.’
‘It seems to be, at present. I think it’s also policy on Martin’s part.’
‘But even if you’re right, there isn’t much we can do about it, is there? We could ask for a rise, I suppose, but if I’m honest I have to say that I think I’m already pretty well paid for what I do.’
‘You’re too modest for your own good, Gerry. I told you, you shouldn’t underestimate yourself, or what you’ve achieved here.’
Gerry Davies wasn’t sure whether he was pleased or disturbed by this. Bewildered was more the word, he decided: he couldn’t see where the conversation was going. ‘Jason, we know each other too well to piss about. What is it you’re getting at?’
‘I want to sound you out about an idea. In confidence, as I said at the outset. I haven’t spoken to anyone else about this, except to take informal legal advice on the situation.’ Jason supposed that a ten-minute discussion over a pint with an industrial lawyer in Ross-on-Wye Golf Club just about constituted that.
‘Hadn’t you better tell me straight out what’s bothering you? I’m not much good at guessing games.’
‘Sorry. Well, to put it at its simplest, I feel we should have a greater say than we have at present in company policy, and a greater share of the profits the company is going to make in the years to come.’
‘And how do we get that? Perhaps it should be obvious, but I’m out of my depth here.’
‘We should have shares in the company.’
‘But it’s a one-man band. Martin Beaumont set it up and took all the early risks.’
‘No. Not quite. Vanda North is a junior partner. I don’t know how junior, but she put money into the business in the early days.’
‘When they were living together.’
‘I presume so. I get the impression that she’s very much a junior partner, without any real say in policy.’
‘Perhaps she prefers it that way, whilst the company goes from strength to strength.’
‘Perhaps. I didn’t get that impression at last month’s meeting, or on one or two other occasions. But as I say, apart from taking a little professional advice, you’re the first person I’ve spoken to about this.’
‘So what are you suggesting we do?’
‘That’s what I want to discuss. The first thing to establish was whether you felt the same about the situation as I did.’
Gerry paused for several seconds. ‘My first reaction is that I enjoy my work and like things the way they are. I feel that I’m doing a good job but that in return I am well paid for it.’
‘I thought you might feel like that.’ Jason Knight couldn’t quite keep the disappointment out of his voice. ‘I knew you’d be absolutely straight with me. But in turn I think I should urge you not to underestimate yourself. Martin Beaumont’s success probably owes more to you than you imagine.’
‘We all contribute to it. But that’s what we’re paid for. Martin took a chance on me when he gave me this job. I work hard partly because I love my job and partly because I want to repay him for his faith in me.’
‘You’re wrong about one thing in that. He didn’t take a chance when he picked you, Gerry. You’d proved yourself with Tesco. They promote talent, but they’re efficient and hard-headed about it. How many times did they promote you?’
‘Three. From very humble beginnings.’
‘I didn’t know it was three. But that proves my point. Martin wasn’t taking a chance when he chose you to run his shop and retail sales here: it was a hard-headed business decision. You were in charge of one of Tesco’s new small stores and no doubt making a success of it. He chose the best candidate of those he interviewed to come here. He’s a good picker — I’ll give him that!’
‘I think he was taking a chance. But even if you’re right, he put me into a job I enjoy and he’s paid me handsomely for doing it well. I don’t see that he owes me any more than that.’
‘Maybe not in the last industrial generation. The one where unions fought employers for whatever they could get and as often as not destroyed each other. But employee involvement is one of the modern trends. Even big companies are seeking to involve their workers in share schemes, to give them an ongoing interest in the prosperity of the company and reward them for good service. It’s the modern way.’
Gerry Davies grinned, his teeth looking for an instant very white against his still thick and densely curly black hair. ‘I don’t deny I’m old-fashioned and content with things as they are. I’m fifty-seven now — perhaps too old a dog to learn new tricks, Jason. Probably out of the ark, in your terms.’
‘I don’t believe that and I don’t think you do. All I’m asking you to do is to consider the situation here. We’re part of a successful enterprise which promises to become bigger and better — principally through the efforts of no more than six people. Martin Beaumont himself, who should without question remain the major beneficiary of his original vision and input. Vanda North, because she is at present the only one with any official share in the company above that of wage-earner. Alistair Morton, who has handled the finances of the company since the beginning and should in my book be its financial director. Me, who should be in charge of the restaurant and possibly the allied area of residential accommodation. You, who should be the sales director. Sarah Vaughan, who has made a promising start and should probably be in charge of research and development.’
‘You’ve obviously given this a lot of thought. But would these be anything more than grandiose titles?’
Jason Knight grinned. ‘Indeed they would. What I’m proposing is that we should be involved in the formulation of policy. In historical terms, I believe we’re still in the early stages of the development of a major company. We’re key figures, who have already proved ourselves in different ways, and we deserve to have our roles in shaping what will become a much larger concern.’
Gerry Davies tried to take this in. It made sense, once you adjusted your viewpoint. ‘You’ve got a wider vision of things than I have, Jason.’
‘There’s nothing wrong with that. And there’s nothing wrong with being ambitious, is there?’
‘No. No there isn’t. But you’re pushing me out beyond the boundaries of where I work and feel comfortable.’
‘But not beyond where you would be competent. I’m pushing you — pushing all of us, if you like — to recognize what we’re capable of. It might be a little uncomfortable, even a little frightening. But it’s exciting as well.’
Gerry Davies thought hard about that, then suddenly smiled. ‘You may well be right. I haven’t got beyond uncomfortable at the moment.’
Jason Knight smiled in his turn, a little ruefully, a little at his own expense. ‘I get carried away a bit, don’t I?’
‘You do a bit. But I’m not saying you’re wrong. I’m just finding it difficult to adjust. In my terms, I’ve come a long way in a short time and I still sometimes go home and can’t believe I’m so lucky. I don’t say you’re wrong, but it’s a lot for me to take in.’
‘I say it’s not luck but talent and application which have put you where you are. But I appreciate what you say — taking on the idea of pushing for more power is a new concept. I’m not asking you to decide anything now. Give the matter some thought over the weekend and the next few days. Discuss it in confidence with your sons and see what they think. There’s no immediate hurry, though I think the sooner we move the better it will be for us. I shan’t say anything to anyone else until I have a reaction from you.’
Gerry stood up, then voiced a final thought. ‘Martin Beaumont regards this as very much his company. He won’t be easy to convince.’
Jason grinned at the older man. ‘There you are, I told you that you had the potential. You’re thinking like a strategist already, you see, not a mere employee. This is company politics among the senior staff, if you like. And you’re right, of course. Martin probably wouldn’t listen to any one of us as an individual. He’d say no, and if we persisted he’d tell us to piss off and look for other employment. But if we went as a group and told him we wanted in, I don’t believe he’d be willing to risk losing all of us at once. I’ll be interested to hear whether you agree with that view when you’ve given the matter some extended thought.’