1950s-60s, paint on silk, metal wound fringe and trim

This banner represents the Hotel & Restaurant Employees & Bartenders Union, who represented wait staff, kitchen staff, cleaners, porters, elevator operators, and other bar, restaurant and hotel staff in Toronto.

Local 299 was involved in the bitterly fought 1961-1962 Royal York Hotel strike against the Canadian Pacific Railroad. The main issues were wages and the layoff notice period. While unsuccessful, the strike led to the Ontario Supreme Court decision that workers not only had a right to strike, but also could not be fired while involved in a legal strike. 

Toronto’s Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees (HERE) Local 75 was formed on June 1, 1980, from a merger of Hotel and Club Employees Union Local 299 and Restaurant, Cafeteria and Tavern Employees Local 254, both of which are represented by this banner.