BURNABY, B.C. — A group of former Tim Hortons employees alleging mistreatment while working at a Fernie, B.C. location two years ago are proceeding with a human rights complaint against the company.
The employees, who were temporary foreign workers from the Philippines, allege they were denied overtime premiums, given less desirable shifts, threatened with deportation and forced to rent accommodation from the restaurant owners. The United Steelworkers (USW), who represent the group, brought the complaint to the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal. “It’s time for Tim Hortons to demonstrate the Canadian values that it wishes to project by improving the treatment of their workers across Canada,” says Stephen Hunt, director of the United Steelworkers for Western Canada.
According to a document from the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal, Tim Hortons deny they have discriminated against the complainant and that they allowed banking of overtime and assisted members of the complainant group with immigration and other issues. And, they add that they had no control over the terms of employment between the ex-employees and the franchisee.
The case should be heard in the next few months.
