“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.”
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.
Inglewood, CA: With less than a month away from the 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.
“This summer’s World Cup should be an opportunity to show the world what makes California special – not a way for the rich to get richer on the backs of working Californians who are being priced out of their communities and terrorized by ICE,” said Steyer. “Together with UNITE HERE, I am calling on FIFA and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment to publicly commit that ICE will play no role in the 2026 World Cup, that workers will receive fair wages and safe working conditions, and that organizers will help fund affordable workforce housing for the people who make these events possible. If elected as the next governor, I will protect Californians and ensure that major international events serve the public good. I’m proud to stand with workers and immigrant communities this summer and beyond.”
“Thank you to gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer for being here and demonstrating leadership on this issue. Now more than ever, we need leaders who have the courage to stand up to ICE and protect our families!” said Issac Martinez, cook at Sofi Stadium and member of UNITE HERE Local 11.
Advocates have also called for Attorney General Bonta to immediately investigate FIFA’s accreditation process, which a complaint filed last week alleges violates the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) and workers’ right to privacy under the California Constitution.
“We have been very clear, we want ICE OUT of the World Cup and for them to play NO ROLE during the games. We are seriously concerned that FIFA will hand over our most sensitive personal information and waive our rights under California law, or lose our job working the World Cup. We will not give FIFA the opportunity to share our data with any third party, including ICE and foreign countries’ intelligence agencies. We cannot celebrate the World Cup while workers, tourists, immigrant families, and local communities are made to feel unsafe. Los Angeles should be a city of welcome — not fear.” said Yolanda Fierro, Suites Runner at Sofi Stadium and member of UNITE HERE Local 11.
There is no real guarantee that ICE will not be a part of the World Cup, and workers have made the demand that in order for them, fans, and players to feel safe, a key part of their negotiations is for: FIFA to demand that ICE and Border Patrol play no role in the World Cup. FIFA must ensure that SoFi Stadium workers enjoy fair working conditions.
The union is simultaneously calling on FIFA and KSE, the stadium’s ownership group, to publicly declare that ICE play no role in the 2026 World Cup.
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
On May Day 2026, workers in LA marched with immigrant rights, community & labor and rallied outside the FIFA offices in DTLA where we dropped hundreds of soccer balls saying KICK ICE OUT!!
In Phoenix we marched with hundreds to stand up for workers rights at Arizona State University and the Phoenix Convention Center where worklers are fighting for a contract.
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.
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.
FIFA received strike threats from thousands of workers at SoFi Stadium, the tournament’s host venue in Los Angeles… with ICE topping the list of concerns outlined by the local union as it negotiates a new bargaining agreement. The advocacy group Human Rights Watch last week also called on FIFA to “seek a public guarantee from federal authorities to refrain from immigration enforcement at games and venues.”
