[ Will update this page with more details later (OR YOU Can edit this page if you were there!). For now Here is the media release, followed by photos of the rally and two videos, one of Walking The Red Carpet, the second of the rally. ]

September 10, 2013 15:43 ET

Advisory: Fighting to save their jobs, Metropolitan Hotel workers hold TIFF-inspired red carpet rally

Hotel workers walk the red carpet for social justice

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Sept. 10, 2013) -

What: On Wednesday, September 11th, in honour of the Toronto International Film Festival, Metropolitan Hotel workers will be joined by other hospitality workers and community allies in front of the Metropolitan hotel to share their stories of injustice at the hand the hotel's new owner, Bayview Hospitality Group. The event will feature a red carpet with TIFF-style celebrity interviews, noisy crowds chanting and singing, and lots of visuals (flags, banners, etc.).

Where: Metropolitan Hotel - 108 Chestnut Street (TTC: St. Patrick Station)

When: Wednesday, September 11^th, 2013 at 5pm

Who: Metropolitan Hotel workers, other hospitality workers and their supporters including Linda McQuaig, leading Canadian author, journalist and social justice advocate

Background:

The Metropolitan Hotel is a major downtown hotel located in the heart the city. Metropolitan Hotel workers are members of UNITE HERE Local 75, the union for hotel and hospitality workers.

The hotel's new owner, Bayview Hospitality Group, took over the hotel's operations in January, 2013. Bayview Hospitality Group terminated the employment of about forty Metropolitan workers in what the union claims is a clear violation of the collective agreement which prohibits subcontracting.

The Lai Wa Heen restaurant is one of the largest departments where workers were laid off. Bayview Hospitality Group subcontracted the restaurant to a member of the restaurant's management team, and did not hire back most of the laid-off workers, many of whom are long-time employees.

Bayview Hospitality Group also subcontracted the jobs of its pastry chefs and switchboard staff.

The case is currently under arbitration at the Ontario Labour Relations Board.

Photos

Add a captionAdd a captionAdd a captionAdd a captionAdd a captionAdd a captionAdd a captionLis Pimentel, President, UNITE HERE Local 75 - Hospitality Workers

Add a captionUnite Here Local 75 bullhorn

Linda McQuaigText from the Facebook Event Photo Album:

Hundreds of hospitality workers and their supporters joined workers from the Metropolitan Hotel who are in the midst of layoffs at the hands of the hotel’s new owners.

In a TIFF-inspired red carpet event, the Metropolitan workers shared their stories of injustice at the hands of the hotel’s new owner, Bayview Hospitality Group.

Leading Canadian author, journalist and social justice advocate, Linda McQuaig was among those who came to stand in solidarity with the hotel’s workers.

Videos

Above is video of the UNITE HERE! Local 75 members walking the Red Carpet in front of the Metropolitan Hotel. They were joined members of the Building Trade, a couple of politicians, and friends of the Labour Movement.

Next video is of the speeches said at the end of Red Carpet walking, this is the Rally part of the event.