Worker at North York industrial bakery Fiera Foods tests positive for COVID-19

An employee of North York industrial bakery Fiera Foods has tested positive for COVID-19, the company has confirmed.

The worker was last at the factory two weeks ago and has recovered well under quarantine, according to Fiera's general counsel, David Gelbloom. Co-workers who were in direct contact with the individual are in self-isolation and public health authorities have been notified, he said.

The company, which has several plants in the GTA and has described itself as one of "North America's largest suppliers of baked goods," was subject to a health and safety inspection on Saturday at its main facility at 50 Marmora St. following two COVID-19-related complaints from workers, a Ministry of Labour spokesperson told the Star. No contraventions were noted, the ministry said.

In 2017, Fiera Foods was the subject of an undercover investigation by the Star into the company's reliance on low-wage temporary workers and its chequered health and safety record. Since 1999, five temp workers have died in industrial accidents at Fiera and its partner plants - most recently in September.

Gelbloom said the latest Ministry of Labour inspection evaluated Fiera's "pandemic preparedness," including its social-distancing measures, screening efforts, cleaning and disinfection, and access to personal protective gear.

"In each category, our extensive efforts were noted by the ministry. We received positive feedback, including that we were the best in class of what the MOL inspector has seen, and were informed that no further action would be pursued," Gelbloom said.

Following the employee's COVID-19 diagnosis, a sanitation company was hired to "disinfect and deep clean all potential areas of contamination," he said. He did not specify the location of the plant where the COVID-19 case was confirmed.

"Because of the steps we have taken to continuously improve safety protocols and our stated commitment to be exemplary of best practices, our staff have been well prepared to respond to the threat posed by COVID-19."

One Fiera worker, who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisal, said they heard from co-workers about a possible COVID-19 case in the facility at 50 Marmora St. but said that as of Tuesday night employees had received no official confirmation.

"Why are we not informed?" the worker said.

Gelbloom said the company had communicated the diagnosis to "all our team members."

"Our management made ourselves available to speak with employees about any concerns they may have through impromptu 'town hall'-style meetings (always practising appropriate social distancing of two metres)," he said.

As an essential service provider, Fiera is contributing to "Ontario's essential food supply chain," Gelbloom said in his statement to the Star. A recent analysis of Toronto transit activity in March shows the most crowded bus routes are those running to areas dense with warehouses, food processing plants and industrial bakeries - including Fiera Foods.

Farid Partovi, a community development worker with the Jane/Finch Community and Family Centre, said the neighbourhood is densely populated with employers who rely heavily on temporary labour.

"The fact of the matter is, for many community residents, especially newcomers and recent immigrants, there aren't many decent-paying jobs available," he said.

According to internal communication to workers obtained by the Star, Fiera updated employees in late March about its COVID-19 plans, including screening all those entering its facilities with non-contact infrared thermometers. The company also said it had modified production lines to increase physical distance between workers - who are receiving $1 an hour extra pay during the pandemic.

Permanently hired workers will receive pay "top ups" from the company if they must miss work, the internal communication to employees said, adding that the company is "closely monitoring" government assistance programs for temporary workers who need to quarantine.

"We will be looking at setting up additional support for those affected," the internal communications said.

In response to questions from the Star, Gelbloom said the company was working with employees "on an individualized basis to support them in a way that best meets their needs," including through "collaboration with temporary agencies, direct wage subsidies and HR assistance to ensure employees have access to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit."

"As you can imagine, government supports are evolving by the minute so we are doing the same, but have assured all of our team members they will be compensated fairly and supported so that they will be as healthy and safe as possible," he said.

Partovi said that's not enough.

"Workers in food industries who have been given minimum wage for years need to see a major increase to their wages, and not just $1 or $2 that has been implemented or suggested by some companies," he said.

According to 2017 documents from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board obtained by the Star, an estimated 70 per cent of Fiera's workforce was temporary. Following the death of temp worker Enrico Miranda in September, the company said it had "taken steps to reduce the temporary portion of our workforce and convert employees to full-time where possible."

Gelbloom said the company has "gone above and beyond industry best practices" to prepare for the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We continue to work with employees on an individual basis to provide support and respond to any concerns," he said.