Rallies come after two Ontario franchise owners imposed cuts following minimum wage increase

A rally at a Surrey Tim Hortons took place this morning in opposition to cuts that two Ontario franchise owners imposed on its employees following the increase to the minimum wage there.

The Surrey event started at 7 a.m. at the Tim Hortons at 9595 King George Blvd.

See also: ‘Hold the sugar, hold the cream, Tim Hortons don’t be mean,’ protesters chant

Chris Fofonoff, organizer of the Surrey rally, estimated about 30 protesters were in attendance.

“It was a real good one,” he said later that morning. “We got good turnout in spite of the fact that we had no sunlight for the first half of it.

“We got a lot of honks as soon as the sun came up and people could see our signs, that’s for sure.”

Fofonoff noted a larger rally is planned in Vancouver at 5 p.m. Friday, at the Tim Hortons located at Commercial Drive and 1st Avenue.

Today, the “national day of action,” there are rallies planned at more than 50 Tim Hortons across Canada, he said.

“We’ve been fighting for a $15 minimum wage in this province for three years now,” said Fofonoff. “I know the Fair Wages Commission has made their report now with the provincial government so we have to make sure we pressure the provincial government so they pass a strong $15 minimum wage. The BC Federation is calling for a $15 minimum wage in B.C. by the end of the year.”

Fofonoff noted B.C. is the “most expensive province in the country.”

“It’s so far behind the cost of living,” he added.

The Tim Hortons rallies, he said, are to show companies they “can’t get away with it,” if they choose to follow suit once a higher minimum wage is instituted in B.C.

Protesters who rallied outside Tim Hortons locations across Ontario last week roasted some franchisees for slashing workers’ benefits and breaks.



amy.reid@surreynowleader.com

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