Rally planned to support Tim Hortons workers

COBOURG -- A controversy over minimum wages continues to brew in Cobourg.

A rally at the Tim Hortons outlet on Division Street in Cobourg is planned for Wednesday from 5 to 6 p.m., as the debate on measures taken in response to the minimum wage increase to $14 an hour continues in the media.

On Thursday, Premier Kathleen Wynne called out the owners of the Tim Hortons outlets in Cobourg, Ron and Jeri Joyce, on their decision to cut benefits and no longer pay for breaks. The response to the minimum wage hike, was a “clear act of bullying,” Wynne said.

In response, the Great White North Franchisee Association defended the Joyces, saying Ron Joyce Jr. has never been an owner in the chain, other than his franchised stores in Cobourg and has, therefore, never been a recipient of billions of dollars.

“We are offended that she has mischaracterized Jeri Horton Joyce and Ron Joyce Jr. in this way,” the statement read. “They, like many Ontarians, are hardworking small-business owners who are striving to keep their business viable and keep all of their employees employed.”

Great White North would not say if the Joyces are members of the association. Great White North has more than 60 per cent of all franchisees in its membership and stands by all franchisees, regardless of whether they are members or not, said Patricia Jameson, a spokeswoman for the association, in an email.

Great White North went on to say the premier and the government have shown no understanding of small business in Ontario, and fail to recognize the hardship many have felt, not only in the Tim Hortons chain, but in all types of small business, by raising the minimum wage so dramatically over such a short period of time.

The minimum wage has gone up $2.40 an hour as of Jan. 1, but this does not include or reflect all of the extra costs to small business owners including CPP and employment insurance contributions and other expenses. Great White North estimates one full-time employee at a Tim Hortons location would mean an additional $6,968.26 per year.

Meanwhile Tim Hortons released its own response, stating the recent stories and comments on social media “saddens” the company.

They called the restaurant owners a “reckless few.”

“Let us be perfectly clear. These recent actions by a few restaurant owners, and the unauthorized statements made to the media by a “rogue group” claiming to speak on behalf of Tim Hortons, do not reflect the values of our brand, the views of our company or the views of the overwhelming majority of our dedicated and hardworking restaurant owners,” the statement read. “While our restaurant owners, like all small business owners, have found this sudden transition challenging, we are committed to helping them work through these changes. However, Tim Hortons team members should never be used to further an agenda or be treated as just an ‘expense.’ This is completely unacceptable.”

As the discussion continued, the Northumberland Labour Council posted an invitation to concerned citizens to join the action at the Tim Hortons located at 970 Division St. Cobourg, from 5 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

The rally is meant to celebrate the victory for minimum wage earners who received a raise to $14 an hour on Jan. 1, organizers say.

“These workers deserve a living wage and typically spend their earnings in the community, creating jobs and growth,” said Northumberland Labour Council president Dan Tobin in the post.

The event will also denounce the tactics of Ron Joyce Jr. and JeriLynn Horton-Joyce, the invitation says. Workers say that, with unpaid breaks and having to pay 50 per cent of the cost of benefits, their bi-weekly paycheque will actually be $51 lower than it was before the minimum wage hike.

NOTE: See related coverage on Page A6.