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<title>blogTO Recent Comments: Amato's Pizza Sees Worker Backlash</title>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/feed/recentcomments/?950</link>
<description>Comments recently made in this post on blogTO</description>
<copyright>Copyright 2009</copyright>
<lastBuildDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:01:15 PST</lastBuildDate>
<item>
<title>Tanja</title>
<description><![CDATA[
After deleting a string of defamatory and racist postings from Nate, this comment thread has been closed.  ]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2513</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2513</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 19 Sep 2005 17:29:23 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Nate</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Wow, Meg, you're in university?  Holy shit, so I am!  I am also in third year!!!  WE R TEH SMART!  Quick, what is your favourite colour?  

My UTORID # is 993616360!  What is yours?

This is like, omg so freaky!

Thanks for noticing the irony in my statement from the other day!

Love and rockets,

Nate]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2510</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2510</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 19 Sep 2005 17:10:32 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Meg</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Hi Tanja,
I think your suggestion of shutting down after Nate's comments is actually quite a good idea.
I worked for Amato for 6 months. Despite Nate's suggestion that anyone who receives a bounced cheque is somehow an uneducated moron who 'got high during high school', I needed the funds to pay rent while my academic scholarship covered my tuition (that's right nate, i'm on academic scholarship - several in fact. why? cause i've averaged 90s and over since grade 10 - i'm in third year university now). I worked at Amato to pay rent. My cheques bounced. Such is life. They lied, and the employees were victimized as a result of those lies.
I happen to know that the worker who's been organizing the protests was executive assistant to the CEO. She's currently studying to be a chartered accountant. She's quite young, and she's absolutely brilliant. So much in fact, that she doesn't feel it necessary to call people names while hiding behind a computer screen. She's doing something about it. SHe's not letting herself be victimized. 
These people are not stupid. They are not uneducated, and they are certainly not idiots. They were simply showed understanding and compassion to a lying group of owners. 

By the way, next time you decide to call people idiots, try not to use phrases like 'Perhaps you should try to educate your mind and become informed. It's not my fault that you pissed away for school years getting drunk and high and skipping class'.  

I mean really - review the grammar in that paragraph. Its awful!!! 

How ironic.

]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2502</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2502</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 19 Sep 2005 09:42:13 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Nate</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Oh noes, don't shut it down!

Where will all the Amato's worker band together for a better tomorrow?

I believe that justice ZzzzZzzzZzz....

Blah blah blah we're stupid Amato's workers!  What went wrong?  We are so naive and stupid but that's no reason to take advantage of us!

Waaaaaaa change my diaper!  Baby make boom-boom!]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2491</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2491</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 18 Sep 2005 23:06:08 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Tanja</title>
<description><![CDATA[
At this point, I really don't think adding petty insult to injury is in any way useful, Nate.

If this thread is going to turn to pathetic name calling (from either side of the argument), I'm prepared to just shut it down.
]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2463</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2463</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Sat, 17 Sep 2005 21:47:19 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Nate</title>
<description><![CDATA[
"Not as dramatic, but the comments remind me of the, "she got raped because she is a slut" mentality. Disgusting. 

Posted by: Chris at September 6, 2005 02:46 AM"

Yes, it's JUST like rape.  Except not at ALL.

These Amato's workers aren't making me lose any sleep, and I'm not shedding any tears.

If you're STUPID enough to work for free, and MORONIC enough not to ask for your money after COUNTLESS paycheques have bounced - well that's your own goddamned fault.

Perhaps you should try to educate your mind and become informed.  It's not my fault that you pissed away for school years getting drunk and high and skipping class.

Your STUPIDITY is your own fault, no one elses, and no demonstration or protest can make up for your substandard intellect.
]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2447</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2447</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Sat, 17 Sep 2005 13:18:52 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Jennifer D</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Wow, so I'm not the only one!!

I started working at amatos part time in July and the same thing happened to me.  I was being paid by cheque and the other employees warned me about the cheques bouncing all the time.  It didn't happen to me until the cheque run September 2nd. 

 My $252.07 cheque bounced almost causing my mortgage to bounce (luckily I saw the bounced cheque in time and transferred funds).  When I approached my boss he told me he would have to check with head office before they would issue me any money, even though I brought in my bank statement with the words "NSF Amatos no funds available".

I quit on the spot, because my boss had such a calm attitude and made the whole thing even seem like my fault and he did not once say I'm sorry.  I got my money the next day AFTER I THREATENED TO CALL THE LABOUR BOARD and have just collected in cash the last of the money they owed me.

I can tell you that lately I've been being paid in cash (at a lower rate), something that I know is illegal and the latest incident is that since the bounced cheques last pay periond (there were about 4 of us), there are signes all over saying debit machine not working, cash only.  I dont know about you but as working as a restarurant manager for the last 7 years (The amato's gig was just quick cash), you make a phone call credit card machines are fixed within hours not weeks.

FOR ALL YOU EMPLOYEES THAT ARE STILL AT AMATO'S BEWARE----GET YOUR MONEY AND QUIT WHILE YOU CAN.  ALL OF OUR TIME IS TOO VALUABLE TO WORK FOR NOTHING.  NOT TO MENTION ITS ILLEGAL.  ANY COMPANY WITH THIS MUCH OF A CASH FLOW PROBLEM WONT BE AROUND FOR LONG.

]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2433</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2433</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 16 Sep 2005 19:18:42 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>John</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Hello all,

I am the legal aid worker at Parkdale Community Legal Services that is representing the Amato worker.

A little update.  The latest cheques bounced.

There is a massive rally being held at 5:30 pm Thursday, September 15, 2005 in front of 534 Queen Street West.  Various progressive organizations will be present.  A simultaneous rally may be held at the St. Clair West Amato.

If you have nay questions, please call me at (416) 531-2411, ext. 255. ]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2309</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2309</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 12 Sep 2005 10:38:12 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Sjournalist</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I'll post it for all to see.

alvare3@hotmail.com]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2282</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2282</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 11 Sep 2005 12:08:50 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Sjournalist</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Hey guys.

This story along with the above exchanges sound interesting to say the least.

I write for a student newspaper, and I'm always looking for a great story.

So if any disgruntled Amato employees or Amato employers want to contact me and let me know more about the situation that would be great.

I posted my email above.






]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2281</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2281</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 11 Sep 2005 12:07:15 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>sv</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Quite simply:
I am no longer eating at Amato's.
I have been a customer for at least 8 years. I hope the owner is reading this.



]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2272</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2272</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Sat, 10 Sep 2005 21:35:29 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>nodnarb</title>
<description><![CDATA[
There HE goes again...reading then bitching.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2215</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2215</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 08 Sep 2005 18:09:02 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Chris</title>
<description><![CDATA[
There he goes again... raving and blaming the victim.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2205</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2205</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 08 Sep 2005 08:44:24 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>nodnarb</title>
<description><![CDATA[
MMMMM AMATOS. go ahead and be disgusted.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2193</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2193</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 07 Sep 2005 23:51:53 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>nodnarb</title>
<description><![CDATA[
To everyone who disagrees with me:
SCREW OFF, and stop picking on Tanja.

A thesaurus is also a useful tool. After reading these posts, the word juvenile is used like "lol" in a chat room. Suck it up. If you don't like what you see, don't read it. And if you decided to read it, stop bitching.

Oh and for you all working in "non-profit organizations in downtown Toronto": you wouldn't have to exist if workers weren't idiots. See, if the workers knew their rights, they would know they deserve to be paid. On time. And if they don't, they should a) file a suit or b) quit. it is THEIR FAULT if they decide to trust their employer. No one would have to pretend to feel sorry for them or pretend to have worked at non-profit organiztions just to make it look like they are important. Well guess what, you are not in any way involved in this either.

Oh and as a side note. No ELISE, I have never posted anywhere on this site. Except here. And the only reason I did was to knock some sense into everyone who thinks like you.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2192</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2192</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 07 Sep 2005 23:48:42 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Perplexed</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I was down at the Labour day parade at Queen and saw the Amato protest.  It was more than four women though, this one had about thirty people handing out leaflets and picketing.

I googled Amato later on and the Amato situation is listed on whole array of non-profit organizations forums and websites, albeit using the same message.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2186</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2186</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 07 Sep 2005 16:09:02 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Tanja</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Well, seeing as you obviously have no interest in the actual situation. I'll just leave you be to assume based on your personal opinions instead of the facts. Enjoy.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2176</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2176</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 07 Sep 2005 09:57:06 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Ed</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I don't see a great deal of difference between not buying at that particular moment and making a decision not to boycott...which essentially means that if you got the munchies, you'd buy there tomorrow and walk right by some minimum wage slaves who've been ripped off.

"Slick vs. psychotic" are the words you used to characterize the situation, out of a) your conversation with the owners and b) your reading of the workers leaflet.  Neither the protesters not the owners used these words that I'm aware of, you did.

So I'm just calling you on your "oh so cool and detached" faux neutrality.

This is called getting raked over the coals for something you've written.

]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2170</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2170</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 07 Sep 2005 02:02:21 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Tanja</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Dear Ed, I really hate to repeat myself, but I'll do one one last time despite your constant going on about journalism class and my supposed career goals.

If you read the posting or any of the following comments you will realize that in fact:

1 - We didn't buy amatos. We just decided we wouldn't boycott as we weren't convinced.

2 - slick vs psychotic, as already discussed, was a comparison about how each side was coming across via each others stories.  The employees vs the boss, making him appear like a slick talker.  The owner vs the employees, making them out to be totally  out of control and unjustified.  That being his skew, not mine.  I have no ground to call them psychotic and wouldn't dream of it. but alas, misreading is where this ridiculous string got started.  

Mind the context. Over and out.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2166</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2166</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 06 Sep 2005 22:20:00 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Ed</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Tanya on your last line the worst comment that you made about the employer was that they possibly were "slick".  OTH, you suggested that the employees quite possibly were psychotic.

Slick vs. psychotic?  Doesn't sound like an "equal" value judgement to me.

You didn't say "slick protestors vs. psychotic employer".   In fact, if the descriptions of this employer described on this blog are correct, it would much more accurately describe the employer...although the correct word would be "psycopathic".  Look it up.

There is a big difference between "reading a leaflet" and engaging in a conversation with the workers.  Somehow the workers didn't "rate" a conversation but the owners did.

Further, you decided to buy your pizza from Amato's.  Its not like there's a shortage of pizza shops in this town...or maybe, just maybe you could have told the workers what the employer said and give them the opportunity to refute the employer's allegations.

I lay no claim to being objective.  You do.  So in this journalism class...you get an "F".]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2165</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2005/08/amatos_pizza_sees_worker_backlash/#c2165</guid>
<category>Toronto, Eat & Drink</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 06 Sep 2005 22:15:02 PDT</pubDate>
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