LA stadium workers threaten strike ahead of World Cup

Workers at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles have overwhelmingly voted to authorize a potential strike during the FIFA World Cup, with the tournament set to begin on Thursday.

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Contract negotiations with stadium food service operator Legends Global and FIFA have not made significant progress on key economic and workplace safety issues.

The Unite Here Local 11 union, which represents approximately 2,000 stadium food and beverage workers, is demanding improved pay and assurances that federal immigration agents will not be permitted inside the venue. A significant 96% of voters approved the strike authorization, giving them the power to walk off the job at any moment.

"Contract negotiations with stadium food service operator Legends Global and FIFA have not made significant progress on key economic and workplace safety issues," the union stated. New negotiations are scheduled for Monday, just before the first World Cup match on U.S. soil on June 12 at SoFi Stadium.

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If we’re forced to strike, those $100,000 FIFA suites will have nothing but bottled water and Doritos.

Union co-president Kurt Petersen warned that if a strike occurs, the stadium's luxury suites might only offer "bottled water and Doritos." The union also seeks the right for workers to leave if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel enter SoFi during matches, citing fears for their safety due to ICE's controversial practices. Workers also expressed concerns about sharing personal information with FIFA for accreditation, fearing it could be shared with ICE.

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We deserve better, and if that means going on strike, I’m ready.