Companies still hiring despite economic slowdown
As hard as the COVID-19 pandemic has hit Niagara’s economy, there are a few brights spots out there.
With the stress the outbreak has put on stores to remain open and employees to work extended hours, Loblaw and Shoppers Drug Mart outlets are looking to add staff.
“In order to keep things running smoothly, we need a full team in stores and distribution centres,” said Mark Wilson, head of human resources for the chains, in a recent release.
“We also need to be able to give our current team a break.
“So we’re inviting people to apply and we’ll reach out if we need a hand restocking, supporting customers or just pitching in.”
Anyone interested can apply at LoblawJobs.ca.
That follows the recent announcement that online support centre Sitel Group plans to add more than 200 permanent and temporary workers for its St. Catharines operation. After short training sessions, those people would work from home.
To apply, go to Jobs.Sitel.com and enter the keyword St. Catharines.
NOTL winery pitches in for hand sanitizer effort
Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers, in Beamsville, has received widespread recognition for its effort to help stop the coronavirus.
In mid-March, the company adapted quickly to use some of the alcohol it keeps on site to produce batches of hand sanitizer and disinfectant, which it distributed among front-line health-care and community workers.
Now Diamond Estates Wines and Spirits has pitched in.
The Niagara-on-the-Lake company has donated 24,000 litres of white wine to Dillon’s, to be distilled into sanitizer.
After the distilling process, that’s expected to produce about 4,000 750-mililitre bottles of hand sanitizer.
That will be shared by front-line workers in Ontario and British Columbia, on behalf of the Lakeview Wine Co. and Backyard Vineyards.
Credit union offers help for groups providing food during outbreak PenFinancial Credit Union has donated $20,000 in emergency funding to help community groups that provide food for people in need during the COVID-19 outbreak. Have a business-related item to share with Niagara readers? Submit them via email to gord.howard@niagaradailies.com.