WAGING A PROTEST FOR THE WORKERS
Activists target Tim Hortons franchises around the province after minimum wage clawbacks
Labour activists converged Wednesday on Tim Hortons restaurants to protest pay and benefit clawbacks pegged to the recent hike in Ontario’s minimum wage.
About a dozen protests were held throughout Ontario Wednesday, where labour activists gathered outside the restaurant locations — not to stop people from getting their coffee or bagel, but to spread a message of support for the chain’s workers and apply pressure on the chain’s parent company.
“Where’s the justice? Where’s the Canadian values?” said John Cartwright, president of the Toronto and York Region Labour Council, speaking of the clawbacks at an 8 a.m. protest at Markham Rd. and Lawrence Ave E.
Cartwright and president of the Ontario Federation of Labour, Chris Buckley, said the protests were aimed at Tim Hortons parent company Restaurant Brands International (RBI), which they say has the power to tell its franchisees to reverse “punitive” responses to the minimum-wage increase.
“Imagine what it’s like serving coffee . . . this is hard work. They deserve a living wage and, guess what? They deserve a break as well,” Cartwright said.
Protesters want Restaurant Brands International to issue a directive to franchises preventing these benefits from being clawed back.
Ontario raised the minimum wage to $14 on Jan. 1. In response, some employers have moved to offset the increased labour costs by eliminating paid breaks or increasing workers’ contributions for benefits — most notably at Tim Hortons restau- rants in Cobourg owned by Jeri Horton-Joyce and Ron Joyce Jr., the children of the chain’s founders.
Workers at the Markham Rd. and Lawrence Ave. E. location were told they could no longer accept tips or have paid breaks.
RBI has called the restaurant owners who have taken action a “rogue group,” the actions of which “do not reflect the values of our brand.”
“Shame on RBI and RBI better listen up today. The CEO better hear me loud and clear,” Buckley told the group of about two dozen protesters in Scarborough, who were mostly union members.
“We’re going to make sure that they’re respected and they’re not disadvantaged by greedy multinational companies,” he said.
In a letter sent Wednesday to RBI CEO Daniel Schwartz, Buckley called for RBI to take “immediate steps” to ensure franchise owners respect labour laws.
“Stating your disdain for the actions of ‘rogue’ franchise owners is not enough to resolve this unfortunate situation,” the letter said.
In a statement to the Star, RBI said, “Almost all of our restaurants in Canada are independently owned and operated by small-business owners who are responsible for handling all employment matters, including all policies for benefits and wages, for their restaurants. Restaurant owners are expected to comply with all applicable laws and regulations within their jurisdiction.”
“Our focus continues to be on supporting our restaurant owners by growing sales and profitability through a balanced and multi-facet- ed strategy while ensuring we provide our guests with great experiences.”
Fight for $15 and Fairness and the Workers Action Centre were also involved in co-ordinating Wednesday’s protests.
Pam Frache, the co-ordinator of Fight for $15 and Fairness, a movement that has spearheaded the campaign for a higher minimum wage and employment law reform in Ontario, noted some small-business owners have already embraced a higher minimum wage, which will rise from the current $14 an hour to $15 next year.
“It’s high time that sustainable business models don’t have to compete for businesses that rely on subpoverty wages,” Frache said. Bowen Lafave, who attended Wednesday’s protest in Scarborough with a small group of construction workers, said it was important to show solidarity with the Tim Hortons employees and the labour movement.
“We’re not here to call for a boycott,” he said, echoing Cartwright. “Everyone loves their coffee.”
Albert Salmon, a retired LCBO worker, said he came to the protest at Markham and Lawrence to “help my brothers and sisters.”
“We’re not going to put up with these corporations trying to take advantage of people who cannot help themselves,” Salmon said.
A noontime protest outside the Tim Hortons location at Bloor St. W. and Bedford Rd. drew young people and students from the nearby University of Toronto campus.
At its peak, about three dozen protesters crowded the street corner, and police officers occasionally stepped in to help pedestrians get through.
Organizers chanted “Hold the sugar, hold the cream, Tim Hortons don’t be mean” as passing vehicles honked in support.
“We’re not going to put up with these corporations trying to take advantage of people who cannot help themselves.” ALBERT SALMON RETIRED LCBO WORKER