Yesterday the surprising news came that Goodwill Industries has closed 16 stores and 10 donation centres across Ontario. A statement from the company website reads:
Due to a number of factors affecting the retail environment, Goodwill is facing a cash flow crisis. As a result, 16 stores, 10 donation centres and 2 offices in Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Newmarket, Barrie, Orillia and Brockville are closed effective today. This unfortunately affects more than 430 Goodwill employees as well as other stakeholders and communities. As you can understand, this is a tremendously difficult time.
Currently, this is a fluid situation and Goodwill is exploring a variety of options to continue its decades-long mission. Goodwill will be reaching out to the union, stakeholders and all levels of governments to bring clarity as soon as possible.
In a statement a spokesperson for Goodwill Industries said the company will explore “a variety of options to continue its decades-long mission.”
Legal Issues
The union representing 450 Goodwill employees says workers in Ontario were locked out of their jobs on Sunday without warning.
Union lawyers say the unannounced closure goes against the collective agreement between Goodwill and the union. Union representatives met with company executives on Sunday evening.
Further updates from Goodwill are expected today.
About GoodWill Industries
Goodwill Industries is a non-profit social enterprise that aims to provide job opportunities to people with disabilities and social disadvantages. The organization runs a network of thrift stores in Canada and the United States.
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