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FOOD SERVICE

ACTION: Fast Profits, Furious Workers at Universal Studios

NBCUniversal is raking in the profits. In 2024, its theme parks division alone made $2.9 billion, enough to pay one of its parent company’s CEOs $33.9 million.

But the workers who make the Universal Studios theme park run are struggling to stay housed. And instead of recognizing our hard work, the company has proposed to one of our unions what will amount to a pay cut.

NY TIMES: SoFi Stadium workers given "Kick ICE Out" button by union ahead of World Cup

NYT — The Athletic: SoFi Stadium workers given ‘Kick ICE Out’ buttons by union ahead of USMNT-Paraguay

“These workers are hospitality professionals. Their job is to welcome guests and provide world-class service to every fan who walks through the gates. But it’s hard to create a welcoming environment when workers and their communities are living in fear. They’re wearing this button because they want a World Cup that’s safe and welcoming for everyone at SoFi.

“No employer, no stadium operator, and not even FIFA gets to take away workers’ voices when it comes to the safety of their families and communities. And from what we’re hearing, fans love the message too. Some are even asking for the buttons.”

 

LEGAL AF: Labor SCORES MAJOR WIN Right Before WORLD CUP!!!

Check out the Legal AF podcast featuring our Co-President Kurt Petersen talking breaking down the amazing victory at SoFi Stadium!

 

Mother Jones: The World Cup’s First Score: Union 1, Owners 0

In a 99-1 vote Wednesday night, food and beverage workers staffing Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium for the FIFA Men’s World Cup ratified an agreement that includes better wages and protections around immigration enforcement—a high-profile labor victory after months of dispute over poor pay and work without a contract amid huge employer revenues.

VICTORY AT SOFI STADIUM

Just days before the opening matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, approximately food and beverage workers at SoFi Stadium have ratified a historic new contract with Legends Hospitality by an overwhelming 99% vote. The contract will go into effect immediately.

SOFI STADIUM WORKERS RATIFY HISTORIC CONTRACT!

“This contract proves what workers can accomplish when we stand together,” said Susana Lahargue, a Stand Lead at SoFi Stadium. “We fought for fair wages, stronger job protections, and the right to protect ourselves and our families. As the world comes to Los Angeles for the World Cup, we are proud to welcome fans knowing that workers have secured a contract that respects our work and our dignity.”

BREAKING NEWS: DAYS BEFORE WORLD CUP, SOFI STADIUM WORKERS WIN HISTORIC CONTRACT — AND RESERVE THE RIGHT TO STRIKE IF ICE THREATENS SAFETY

UNITE HERE Local 11 reaches tentative agreement with Legends Hospitality covering 2,000 food and beverage workers at SoFi Stadium. Workers retain the unprecedented right to strike if ICE or other federal immigration agencies threaten their safety during the World Cup. Workers will vote to ratify on Wednesday. Full details to be released following ratification.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just days away, UNITE HERE Local 11 announced tonight a tentative agreement with Legends Hospitality covering approximately 2,000 food and beverage workers at SoFi Stadium. The tentative agreement secures massive wage increases, landmark job protections, and groundbreaking privacy rights. Notably, it includes an explicit right to strike if ICE or Border Patrol activity at the worksite threatens worker safety—a provision legal experts say is unprecedented in modern American labor history.

The contract will expire on April 30, 2028, aligning with over 100 other stadium, hotel, and airport concessions contracts that expire before the Olympics.

Key Improvements:

  • Historic wage increases: The largest increases for stadium workers in history, with significant premiums for World Cup and Super Bowl events.
  • Workforce Housing Fund: Legends will make a multimillion dollar contribution to fund to develop housing for hospitality workers.
  • Landmark Job Protections: A 75% reduction in subcontracting over the life of the agreement, enforced by an industry-first penalty mechanism.
  • Restrictions on AI and Automation: No new self-checkout, kiosks, or cashier-less technology can be deployed, safeguarding jobs.
  • Groundbreaking Privacy Rights: Workers cannot be forced to surrender Social Security numbers, immigration status, or country of origin for accreditation of mega events like the World Cup. FIFA’s accreditation demands are prohibited by the contract.
  • Unprecedented Right to Strike: Workers have the contractual right to walk off the job if the Union determines in good faith that federal immigration agency actions threaten worker safety during a World Cup match.

“These workers are heroes. They stood up to FIFA. They stood up to ICE. They won a historic contract, and they are ready for whatever comes during the World Cup. If federal immigration agencies threaten workers’ safety, our members have the right to walk off the job. That is now in their contract,” said Kurt Petersen, Co-President, UNITE HERE Local 11.

Los Angeles Magazine: SoFi Stadium Workers Narrowly Avert Potential Strike Ahead of the World Cup

In an era where the Trump administration has launched the largest-ever effort to denaturalize U.S. citizens, giving out such sensitive information feels incredibly risky at a time like this, even though FIFA has claimed they needed the information as part of its background-check procedure.

“Workers have the contractual right to walk off the job if the union determines in good faith that federal immigration enforcement threatens worker safety during a World Cup match,” Local 11 posted on its social media accounts, following the back and forth between the two parties.

 

ESPN: SoFi Stadium workers’ union reaches deal to avoid strike during World Cup

“These workers are heroes. They stood up to FIFA. They stood up to ICE. They won a historic contract, and they are ready for whatever comes during the World Cup. If federal immigration agencies threaten workers’ safety, our members have the right to walk off the job. That is now in their contract,” (Local 11 co-president Kurt) Petersen told reporters.

LA TIMES: SoFi Stadium workers union announces labor deal, averting strike during World Cup

“We got major economic gains and significant protections around subcontracting automation,” Kurt Petersen, the union’s co-president, said. “I don’t know the soccer analogy, but it’s a grand slam of a contract.”

THE GUARDIAN: LA-area stadium workers to vote on strike a week before World Cup begins

“We know they’re going to make a lot of money during these events,” Yolanda Fierro, a suite runner and union member who voted to authorize the strike, told the Guardian. “So what we want is a thank-you – gratitude from the company, giving us a good, equitable contract for increasing our wages, so we can survive out here in California because it’s very expensive here in this state.”