As the excitement builds for the U.S. men’s soccer team’s opening World Cup match against Paraguay, a potential disruption looms at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Stadium workers, including bartenders, servers, cooks, and dishwashers, have voted to authorize a strike amid stalled contract negotiations with the stadium’s food service provider, Legends Global.
Concerns Over Pay and Security
The decision to authorize a strike does not guarantee a walkout, but it gives the 2,000 workers the option to do so if an agreement is not reached. Union member Yolanda Fierro highlighted concerns over pay and job security, particularly in light of increased immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump’s administration. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna assured that federal authorities would assist with security at the matches but not engage in civil immigration enforcement.
Kurt Petersen, co-president of UNITE HERE Local 11, emphasized the workers’ struggles, stating, “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?” He warned that a strike could leave high-priced FIFA suites with limited offerings.
Negotiations and Community Concerns
Legends Global expressed its commitment to reaching an agreement, citing a longstanding relationship with the union. However, Petersen criticized the slow pace of negotiations, noting minimal wage increases for some workers despite the anticipated revenue from the World Cup. The union seeks protections against subcontracting and potential federal immigration raids.
Cesar Zamora, a bartender and lifelong soccer fan, expressed disappointment in the lack of progress. “The FIFA World Cup will generate enormous profits, but we are still fighting for basic respect and security,” he said, indicating his readiness to strike if necessary.
Community groups in other host cities, such as Atlanta and Miami, have also called for a halt on U.S. immigration enforcement during the matches, fearing that arrests near stadiums could dampen the festivities. The World Cup is set to draw millions of fans to games across 11 U.S. cities, as well as in Canada and Mexico.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
