Tim Hortons’ head office is responding to a move by some of its franchise locations – to eliminate paid breaks and benefits for employees – in response to a minimum wage hike in Ontario.

A statement from headquarters calls the moves “reckless” – and says they do not reflect the values of the brand – or the views of the company.

Workers at two restaurants in Cobourg got a letter from owners Ron Joyce Junior and Jeri Horton-Joyce saying that staff would no longer be entitled to paid breaks – and they would also have to pay a portion of the costs for dental and health benefits – to offset the $2.40 jump in Ontario’s hourly minimum wage.

Premier Kathleen Wynne has said that if Joyce Junior wants to challenge her government’s policy – he should come directly to her and not take it out on his workers