Unions says hosting of federal immigration agents creates “unusually dangerous conditions” for workers, demands that companies refuse to host ICE and Border Patrol
Los Angeles, CA — UNITE HERE Local 11, representing 32,000 hospitality workers in Southern California and Arizona, has formally notified hotels, stadiums, and other employers that the presence of ICE or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Border Patrol) agents on their property constitute “unusually dangerous conditions” under the parties’ collective bargaining agreements, triggering workers’ contractual right to refuse unsafe work.
In a letter, the Union cited heavily armed federal presence, protests, and a pattern of rapidly escalating violence connected to recent immigration enforcement actions. The Union emphasized that workers must not be placed in volatile situations beyond the scope of their normal duties.
Recent incidents across the country — including fatal shootings involving federal immigration agents — have sparked widespread protests and heightened community tension. On October 14, 2025, the County of Los Angeles proclaimed a local emergency, finding that federal immigration enforcement actions posed extreme peril to county residents’ safety.
“Our members should not be forced into the middle of heavily armed enforcement operations,” said UNITE HERE Co President Kurt Petersen. “Our contracts guarantee a safe workplace, and if hotels and stadiums choose to allow ICE onto their properties, our workers have the right to walk out.”
The Union has asked hotels and other workplaces – including stadiums – to refrain from having ICE or Border Patrol personnel lodge at or use their property to stage their activities during this period of heightened public attention. If hotels, stadiums, or other companies choose to do so, the Union is requesting advance notice and confirmation that workers will be allowed to leave or refuse work without reprisal.
As Los Angeles prepares to host the World Cup this June, the Union warned that the federal government’s promised increase of federal enforcement activity during the mega-event makes safety concerns especially urgent.
“We stood together to protect guests and workers during COVID,” Union leaders said in their letter. “We must do so again to ensure the safety of our workplaces and communities.”
BREAKING NEWS: LA Hotel and Stadium Workers Invoke Safety Language, Say They Have Right to Refuse to Work During ICE Presence at World Cup
Unions says hosting of federal immigration agents creates “unusually dangerous conditions” for workers, demands that companies refuse to host ICE and Border Patrol
Los Angeles, CA — UNITE HERE Local 11, representing 32,000 hospitality workers in Southern California and Arizona, has formally notified hotels, stadiums, and other employers that the presence of ICE or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Border Patrol) agents on their property constitute “unusually dangerous conditions” under the parties’ collective bargaining agreements, triggering workers’ contractual right to refuse unsafe work.
In a letter, the Union cited heavily armed federal presence, protests, and a pattern of rapidly escalating violence connected to recent immigration enforcement actions. The Union emphasized that workers must not be placed in volatile situations beyond the scope of their normal duties.
Recent incidents across the country — including fatal shootings involving federal immigration agents — have sparked widespread protests and heightened community tension. On October 14, 2025, the County of Los Angeles proclaimed a local emergency, finding that federal immigration enforcement actions posed extreme peril to county residents’ safety.
“Our members should not be forced into the middle of heavily armed enforcement operations,” said UNITE HERE Co President Kurt Petersen. “Our contracts guarantee a safe workplace, and if hotels and stadiums choose to allow ICE onto their properties, our workers have the right to walk out.”
The Union has asked hotels and other workplaces – including stadiums – to refrain from having ICE or Border Patrol personnel lodge at or use their property to stage their activities during this period of heightened public attention. If hotels, stadiums, or other companies choose to do so, the Union is requesting advance notice and confirmation that workers will be allowed to leave or refuse work without reprisal.
As Los Angeles prepares to host the World Cup this June, the Union warned that the federal government’s promised increase of federal enforcement activity during the mega-event makes safety concerns especially urgent.
“We stood together to protect guests and workers during COVID,” Union leaders said in their letter. “We must do so again to ensure the safety of our workplaces and communities.”
Picketing outside Fox Studios
For the first time in 50 years food service workers picketed outside Fox Studios in Century City demanding a fair contract.
Workers at the Universal Hilton Win their First Union Contract!
SUPPORTING THE TEACHERS IN THEIR CONTRACT FIGHT
Members of Local 11 joined their brothers and sisters from UTLA to demonstrate our support for their contract fight. More than 30,000 people rallied at Grand Park in DTLA, calling on LAUSD to accept a fair contract for teachers, or they will go out on strike on April 14. Also—with so many people around us—we took the opportunity to collect signatures for the Overpaid CEOs initiative. When we fight together, we win!
Support the workers of the Long Beach Yacht Club
Management wants to eliminate the service charge—a practice that has been in place for decades. For us, the service charge is steady, reliable income that we depend on to pay our rent and bills. We have discussed this among ourselves and voted unanimously—every worker wants to keep it.
Enter your address and click the “Start Writing” button to send a message to General Manager Norman Rich.
DODGERS, DON’T GO TO THE WHITE HOUSE!
Several Dodger Stadium workers went outside the Dodger’s Spring Training facility in Camelback Ranch to call on the team to NOT GO TO THE WHITE HOUSE!
Have you heard about the Santa Monica Housing Initiative?
Santa Monica faces a serious shortage of housing working people can actually afford. When the airport closes in 2028, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build affordable housing on the airport land. Ask your organizer how you can get involved!
We Want Our Contract at the Hilton Garden Inn LAX!
Together with members of the LA Federation of Labor, workers at the Hilton Garden Inn LAX—who have won union recognition over a year ago—picketed outside the hotel demanding that management sign their first union contract!
Honoring the DoubleTree by Hilton Ontario Airport Boycott!
Thank you to all all the members of CSEA who pulled out of the DoubleTree by Hilton Ontario Airport—where we are fighting for a union contract—to honor our boycott, and then they joined the workers at the picket line!
Arizona State University Poverty Report Briefing
Arizona State University Food Service Workers were invited to speak at Worker Power’s release of their most recent report that focuses on the working poverty at ASU. Huge shoutout to Victor, Corina, and Ellen who bravely shared their stories with the community.