Restaurant promises immediate changes after workers’ protest prompts boycott threats
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A Toronto poutinerie says it won’t be firing staff who walked off the job over safety concerns, and will instead change its policies and procedures, after boycott threats from customers.
Employees walked out of Poutini’s House of Poutine on Queen Street West on Friday night, posting a sign to customers explaining their protest, and locking the door behind them.
BlogTO published a photo of a whiteboard listing multiple reasons for the walkout, including a lack of ventilation, a failure to escalate safety incidents, understaffing, and pay concerns.
One worker, Owen Jacobson, tweeted about the issues behind the walkout, and alleged the company’s owners had “fired everyone involved”.
However, the company responded in a Facebook post on Monday, saying all staff involved in the walkout would keep their jobs.
Poutini’s owners Fred and Nick Laliberte said they took staff’s actions and concerns seriously, and had held a meeting with workers to hear their views, where an “amicable resolution” was reached.
“Our staff are honest, hard-working people and helped us to identify procedures and policies that we will be putting in place immediately to ensure Poutini’s is a great place to work and eat.”
Related stories:
Walkout avoided as union reaches last-minute deal
Appeals court decision “encouraging” for employers
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Employees walked out of Poutini’s House of Poutine on Queen Street West on Friday night, posting a sign to customers explaining their protest, and locking the door behind them.
Poutini's faces revolt after workers walk out https://t.co/sMeP9niakM #toronto pic.twitter.com/AHyPzLXf2L
— Toronto News Now (@torontonewsnow) August 21, 2017
BlogTO published a photo of a whiteboard listing multiple reasons for the walkout, including a lack of ventilation, a failure to escalate safety incidents, understaffing, and pay concerns.
One worker, Owen Jacobson, tweeted about the issues behind the walkout, and alleged the company’s owners had “fired everyone involved”.
The Poutini’s staff staged a walkout. Couldn’t be more proud. Major issues include no WSIB reports on injuries, safety problems, pay issues
— Owen Jacobson (@derspiny) August 20, 2017
In response, the owner fired everyone involved and is hiring new staff. No sign any issues will be resolved: expect newbies to get screwed.
— Owen Jacobson (@derspiny) August 20, 2017
However, the company responded in a Facebook post on Monday, saying all staff involved in the walkout would keep their jobs.
Poutini’s owners Fred and Nick Laliberte said they took staff’s actions and concerns seriously, and had held a meeting with workers to hear their views, where an “amicable resolution” was reached.
“Our staff are honest, hard-working people and helped us to identify procedures and policies that we will be putting in place immediately to ensure Poutini’s is a great place to work and eat.”
The walkout prompted customers to threaten a boycott of the poutinerie, which has two Toronto stores.
Related stories:
Walkout avoided as union reaches last-minute deal
Appeals court decision “encouraging” for employers
Want the latest HR news direct to your inbox? Sign up for HRD Canada's daily newsletter.