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.
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.
Launching New Contract Negotiations at SOFI Stadium
Workers at SoFi Stadium started negotiating their new contract. One of the demands is that FIFA—for the security of workers and fans alike—keeps ICE out the stadium during the upcoming World Cup games.
Kenny Washington Day
February 13, 2022—Super Bowl Sunday!—was officially marked as Kenny Washington Day by a motion of the LA City Council introduced by Councilmember Curren Price. Kenny Washington was the first African-American player to integrate the NFL. Two days previously, a tentative agreement was reached between concession workers and management at SoFi Stadium on their first Union contract. To celebrate both the legacy of Kenny Washington and the tentative union contract for SoFi workers, we were joined—amongst others—by civil rights legend, Reverend James Lawson. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, LA County Fed President Ron Herrera, LA City Councilmember Curren Price, NFL Players Association President JC Tretter, and the NFL Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice Smith.