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UNITE HERE Local 11

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.

LAIST: Santa Monica will soon transform a huge plot of land. Should it include housing?

TheSanta Monica Airport is set to close at the end of 2028. Residents have supported turning it into a park. Proponents of that approach say all 227 acres should be reserved for green space.

But with rents out of reach for many Westside workers, others are fighting to set aside some land for affordable housing.

“If we don’t do it here, I don’t know where we’ll get it done in such big numbers,” said Ralph Mechur, a member of the pro-housing group Cloverfield Commons and a proponent of a measure now aiming to qualify for the November ballot.

WORKERS AT THE AC HOTEL IN PASADENA: WELCOME TO THE UNION!

The Housekeeping Department at the AC Hotel in Pasadena voted to join the union. After a four-month campaign, the 23 members of the housekeeping department voted 90% for the union Negotiations for their first union contract will begin in the next couple weeks. Congratulations! And… sí se puede, compañeros!

PRESS RELEASE: Tom Steyer Becomes First Gubernatorial Candidate Calls for ICE Out of FIFA World Cup Alongside SoFi Stadium Workers

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.

Workers and clergy speak out against Airbnb

Dozens of workers, clergy and faith leaders gathered in a powerful and moral speak-out at City Hall and testified at public comment during the LA’s Planning & Land Use Management Committee where Airbnb is attempting to roll back short-term rental regulations in LA.

Faith leaders called on Mayor Bass to protect housing and our communities’ most vulnerable unhoused neighbors.

98% of Private Suite workers voted YES to ratify their first union contract

Private Suite workers at LAX ratified a historic new contract that will give them $15 i raises over three years. By the end of the contract salaries for all 150 workers will be around $40-$50 an hour. Workers also won health care, pension, and tipped workers will be able to keep their tips that sometimes can be up to $1,500 in one day! Wow!

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.

REPORT OF LOS ANGELES TRUTH COMMISSION ON LABOR ABUSES AT FLYING FOOD GROUP (LAX)

“What is happening at Flying Food Group is not a series of isolated incidents. It is a deeply rooted pattern of worker mistreatment and neglect. After hearing directly from employees, I am appalled by reports of unsafe and unhealthy working conditions that put workers’ lives at risk every single day. From serious fire safety violations to ongoing physical hazards across kitchen, transportation, and warehouse operations, workers are being forced to choose between earning a paycheck and protecting their own safety. No worker should ever have to report to a job where they fear being trapped in a cooler during a fire or losing access to basic healthcare without warning.” Click here for the full report.

Grievance Victories

The Ambassadors (Bellmen) of the W Westwood Los Angeles won a grievance settlement of $859.99. The employer failed to comply with the Settlement from year 2020.

The restaurant servers of Sofitel won a grievance settlement of $29,171.39 of back pay from 2023 to now. The employer failed to apply the appropriate wages increase over the years of our contract 2023 to 2026.

 

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.