INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Workers at SoFi Stadium, located near Los Angeles, are making headlines as they have voted to authorize a strike. This decision comes just as the stadium is gearing up to host the U.S. men’s soccer team for their opening match in the World Cup.
While this vote does not mean that 2,000 bartenders, servers, cooks, and dishwashers will immediately walk off the job, it grants them the option to strike if contract negotiations with the food service provider stall further. The urgency of this situation is heightened as the June 12 match against Paraguay approaches.
Yolanda Fierro, a union member, expressed concerns regarding fair pay and job security, especially in light of intensified immigration enforcement. Sheriff Robert Luna of Los Angeles County mentioned that federal authorities would be present at the matches for security, but not for civil immigration enforcement.
“What good is the World Cup for Los Angeles when workers don’t earn enough to pay the rent and must choose between showing up and being kidnapped by ICE?” said Kurt Petersen, co-president of UNITE HERE Local 11. He pointed out that without a resolution, high-paying FIFA suite guests might be left with nothing but snacks while the workers are absent.
Legends Global, the company responsible for hospitality services at SoFi Stadium, stated that they have a long-standing relationship with the union and are committed to negotiating a fair agreement. They expressed hope for an outstanding hospitality experience for fans during the World Cup.
Despite this, Petersen criticized the slow pace of negotiations, claiming that Legends has only offered minimal wage increases for some workers while others face pay freezes. The union is also fighting for protections against subcontracting and immigration raids.
Cesar Zamora, a bartender at the stadium and a lifelong soccer fan, shared his disappointment over the lack of necessary changes from his employer before such a significant event. “The FIFA World Cup will generate enormous profits, but we are still fighting for basic respect and security,” he said. “We deserve better, and if that means going on strike, I’m ready.”
Additionally, community groups in other World Cup host cities, such as Atlanta and Miami, have called for the suspension of U.S. immigration enforcement during the matches. They worry that arrests near stadiums could spoil the fun for fans.
The World Cup is set to attract millions of fans to soccer games throughout June and July, not only in the U.S. but also in Canada and Mexico, making it a monumental event for soccer enthusiasts everywhere.
