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UNITE HERE Local 11

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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.

JOB OPENING: Bilingual Communications Organizer

UNITE HERE Local 11 represents 32,000 hospitality workers across Southern California and Arizona. Our local is the fastest growing in the private sector. We’re looking for a creative and energetic communications organizer to strategize and implement campaigns.

Job Responsibilities:

  • Field press requests, write media advisories and press releases, build relationships with reporters, and pitch reporters about events and campaigns
  • Work with organizing teams to identify powerful worker testimonials and earned media opportunities; prepare spokespeople
  • Create simple flyers and other promotional materials
  • Manage social media editorial calendar for multiple platforms to maximize post engagement and reach. Create post content, take photos and/or short videos, go live, and assemble simple graphics
  • Strategize and build online actions to engage and grow email lists of members and potential allies
  • Strategize, write, and implement messages and campaigns for email, broadcast text, and peer-to-peer texting; monitor performance, engage with responses, and train others
  • Write for diverse audiences, e.g. websites for union members or consumers, online ads for the general public, social media posts for hospitality industry workers generally
  • Update website content as needed
  • Report on and evaluate online actions, emails, and texts

Qualifications:

  • Some experience in field or online organizing or political campaigns
  • Some experience in media relations, communications, or marketing
  • Demonstrated passion for progressive politics and social justice
  • Ability to write concisely, clearly, and quickly with minimal oversight or copyediting.
  • Technological savvy and ability to learn new databases, online platforms, etc. relatively quickly.
  • Experience shooting and editing short videos is a plus but not required
  • Bilingual in oral and written English and Spanish

This is a full-time position. Compensation based on experience.

How To Apply

Please send your resume to [email protected] with “Communications Organizer” as the subject of your message.

UNITE HERE Local 11 is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to creating a diverse, multi-cultural work environment. People of color, women, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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 Serious Safety Violations at Flying Food Group (LAX)

On May 20, 2026, Cal/OSHA issued new Citations and Notifications of Penalty to Flying Food Group (“Company”) for workplace safety violations discovered during inspections of two facilities serving LAX. As set out below, these include four “serious” citations, two of which arise from the Company’s failure to ensure that cold storage rooms can be utilized safely and opened from the inside, an issue which led to a near tragedy during a fire on January 22, 2026 in which two workers were found inside a cooler room whose entrance door had been chained shut. Click here to read the full report.

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.”

Francisco supports Faizah Malik for Los Angeles City Council

Francisco works at LAX and says Councilwoman Traci Park’s recent vote to weaken the Olympic Wage is a move AGAINST workers and FOR bosses. It’s time to elect Faizah Malik for Los Angeles City Council. Vote on or before June 2; click here for the full voter guide.

Andrea supports Ada Briceño for California State Assembly!

See why banquet server Andrea Barrera stands WITH Ada Briceño for California Assembly and against the millions that the Big Tech Bros are pouring into her opposition. Vote for Ada for state assembly and Tom Steyer for governor of California on or before June 2. Click here for the full voter guide.