NEWS NATION: SoFi Stadium workers vote on strike authorization before FIFA World Cup
Union leaders say the company’s latest proposal includes wage freezes for some workers and annual raises of 25 cents per hour for others. They argue workers deserve a larger share of the revenue expected during the FIFA World Cup, noting that some hospitality suite packages are selling for more than $100,000.
BREAKING NEWS: SoFi Stadium Workers Vote 96% to Authorize Strike Days Before FIFA World Cup Inbox
LOS ANGELES — SoFi Stadium cashiers, dishwashers, cooks, bartenders, concessions workers, and food attendants have voted 96% in favor of authorizing a strike, meaning workers could walk off the job at any moment if their demands are not met. Negotiations are scheduled to continue Monday ahead of the USA v. Paraguay match on June 12th.
Living wage: Pay that reflects the true cost of living in Los Angeles, including premium pay for World Cup and other mega-events, and payment to a housing fund to build housing for hospitality workers.
Limits on AI, technology, and subcontracting: Strong protections against the erosion of union jobs through unimpeded subcontracting and technology and automation
Right to strike if ICE comes to the workplace: Workers must have the right to walk off the job if federal immigration enforcement enters the stadium and creates a reasonable fear for their safety — no worker should have to choose between their job and their freedom.
Contract negotiations with stadium food service operator Legends Global and FIFA have not had significant progress on key economic and workplace safety issues.
Cesar Zamora, Bartender, SoFi Stadium (5 years): “I’m a lifelong soccer fan, and it’s heartbreaking to see that just days before one of the biggest sporting events in the world, our employer is refusing to provide the wages, protections, and contract we need to support our families. The FIFA World Cup will generate enormous profits, but we are still fighting for basic respect and security. We deserve better, and if that means going on strike, I’m ready.”
Yolanda Fierro, Suites Runner, SoFi Stadium (6 years): “I’m one of the thousands of workers behind every meal prepared, every drink served, and every guest experience at the World Cup. Fans from around the world will come expecting an unforgettable event, and we take pride in making that happen. But no worker should have to fear being separated from their family or worry about dangerous ICE activity while simply doing their job. We deserve to feel safe, respected, and protected at work. If our voices continue to be ignored, I’m ready to strike.”
Kurt Petersen, Co-President, UNITE HERE Local 11: “SoFi Stadium cooks, bartenders and dishwashers are the true heroes of this World Cup, standing up to FIFA’s greed while defending their community against ICE intimidation. 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? If we’re forced to strike, those $100,000 FIFA suites will have nothing but bottled water and Doritos.”
In addition, the ACLU of Southern California, UNITE HERE Local 11, and LAANE have filed a formal complaint with the California Privacy Protection Agency and the California Department of Justice, calling on Attorney General Rob Bonta to investigate FIFA’s accreditation process over concerns that workers’ sensitive personal information may be shared with federal agencies.
LA Times: SoFi Stadium workers to vote on whether to authorize a strike with World Cup looming
“The cooks, dishwashers, concession workers, bartenders and servers represented by Unite Here Local 11 have been working without a contract for a year and the union says negotiations with Legends Global, the stadium’s food-service operator, have stalled. Workers are demanding salary increases, protection against subcontracting and job loss through automation, and are protesting FIFA’s collection of sensitive private information such as nationality and home addresses.”
“If a strike is approved during the two-day vote, Kurt Petersen, co-president of the union, said the 70,000 fans arriving for the June 12 World Cup opener between the U.S. and Paraguay will be greeted by hundreds of picketing workers.”
New York Times: FIFA facing ‘significant’ World Cup problem as SoFi Stadium workers set for strike vote
“We felt the company (Legends) were not taking the concerns and demands seriously enough,” Petersen said. “At midday (Tuesday), the workers told the company that we intend to proceed with a strike vote. The vote is scheduled for next week over two days on Thursday and Friday.”
Tom Steyer—Alongside SoFi Stadium Workers—Calls for ICE Out of FIFA World Cup Alongside SoFi Stadium Workers
With less than a month away from the FIFA World Cup, the cooks, dishwashers, bartenders, who cook the food and make the drinks for Sofi Stadium held a press conference with Gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer ahead of negotiations.
Aramark Workers At Arizona State University Protest During Graduation
Dining hall workers at ASU have been actively fighting for a fair contract since September 2025. Workers, community, and graduates peacefully protested during Arizona State University’s Undergraduate graduation on May 11. See pictures of the protest here.
Protesters were on a public sidewalk when ASU Police arrested 2 union organizers. During the arrest, one of the arrested organizers was forced to the ground while the strap of a bullhorn tightened around her neck, making it difficult for her to breathe. The other was arrested after attempting to alert officers to the situation and later received medical confirmation of a fractured wrist sustained during the arrest. See the arrest video here.
Maricopa County prosecutors’ have deferred the charges, but they still have the ability to file them within the next 24 months. Days before the arrests, peaceful picketers crossing legally in a crosswalk were nearly struck by a vehicle driven by ASU Assistant Police Chief David Ramer, who later participated in the May 11 arrests.
ONTARIO WORKERS AT THE CONVENTION CENTER, ONTARIO FIELD AND TOYOTA ARENA RATIFY A HISTORIC NEW CONTRACT
Congratulations to the Legends workers at the Ontario Convention Center, the Ontario Field (home of the minor league Dodger team), and the Toyota Arena departments of Housekeeping, Maintenance, Parking, and Ice Techs who ratified a historic contract on May 9.
This new contract will bring a $12 raise in year one, the inclusion into to the Santa Monica Health Fund, and accretion for workers who will be able to pick up work hours at all three venues. This new contract covers 193 workers and will expire March 31, 2028.
Phoenix Convention Center Workers Protest Border Security Conference
Food Service workers for Aramark at the Phoenix Convention Center picketed during a border security conference where Trump’s border czar Tom Homan spoke.
When workers raised concerns about their safety and requested that Aramark keep DHS personnel away from food service areas, staying consistent with prior commitments allegedly made by the company. Aramark declined to do so. Workers were joined on the picketline by Rep. Yassamin Ansari
KYA BLAKE
Meet Kya Blake, a shop steward and bartender at SoFi Stadium. Find out why she is fighting to keep ICE out of her workplace during the FIFA World Cup.