Downtown Tim Hortons closed amid staff work refusal over COVID-19 concerns
The staff of a downtown Hamilton Tim Hortons have walked off the job over COVID-19 safety concerns for themselves, their families and their customers following a positive case among workers.
The restaurant, located at the intersection of Main Street East and Wellington Street North, has been temporarily closed since this past weekend, according to staff. A sign posted to one of the eateries' doors states the location has been closed temporarily closed due to the evolving health situation."
Speaking to The Spectator on Tuesday, employee Brandon De Lullo said staff at the restaurant were notified Saturday that an employee who had worked in the store just days prior had tested positive for COVID-19.
Another employee had also called in sick and was being tested, he added.
At that time, De Lullo said staff had heard that Tim Hortons head office recommended to the owner that the store be closed down. When it wasn't, they made the decision to take matters into their own hands.
The Spectator reached out to the owner Wednesday but did not receive a response. In an email to The Spectator, a Tim Hortons head office spokesperson did not address questions about what direction was given to the restaurant or whether a shutdown was recommended.
Through a statement, the company said they take each case of COVID-19 very seriously" and have strict standards and protocols in place to ensure team members and our guests are protected." Those include closing impacted restaurants for cleaning and sanitization, working with public health and ensuring any potentially exposed team members self-isolate for 14 days."
Due to fears of the virus spreading among staff, as well as a recommendation to self-isolate from public health, De Lullo said the workers banded together" and opted not to come in for their shifts - thereby closing the store.
We all went together as a team, as the whole entire store and decided all not to work," said De Lullo.
Scott Thompson, a baker at the location, said he also notified the Ministry of Labour that the staff would be refusing to work. In a statement to The Spectator, a ministry spokesperson confirmed an ongoing investigation at the Tim Hortons located at 257 Main St. E. but did not provide any further details.
All the employees are now self-isolating and awaiting test results, De Lullo said. The store remained shuttered on Wednesday.
Susan Donovan, another worker, said the risk of continuing to work would have impacted more than just the staff, some of which are considered high-risk." Some live with family members that have health problems that could make them more susceptible to serious COVID infections, she added.
Some staff members have been vaccinated, including Thompson and his wife, who also works at the store. They qualified due to their age, which happened before Ontario food service workers became eligible to book a vaccine earlier this week.
It could have also impacted their customers, said De Lullo, whose health was their first and foremost" concern. Nestled right at the corner of Main and Wellington, the restaurant serves mostly seniors and is directly across from First Place.
We love them dearly," said Thomas.
I would hate to see something happen to one of them," added De Lullo.
The trio are hopeful that they were able to avoid an outbreak at their location. They don't plan on going back to work until May 23.
Fallon Hewitt is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach her via email: fhewitt@thespec.com