Thousands of stadium workers at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a potential strike ahead of the opening of the FIFA World Cup, raising concerns about possible disruptions during the tournament.
Members of Unite Here Local 11, which represents about 2,000 food and beverage employees at the stadium, approved the strike authorization by a margin of 96 percent, giving union leaders the authority to call a work stoppage if ongoing negotiations fail.
The union is seeking improved wages and workplace protections, including assurances that federal immigration agents will not be allowed to enter the venue during World Cup events.
In a statement, the union said negotiations with stadium food service operator Legends Global and FIFA had made little progress on key economic and safety concerns.
Fresh talks between the parties are scheduled for Monday, just days before the first World Cup match on U.S. soil is set to be played at SoFi Stadium on June 12.
The workers represented by the union include cooks, bartenders, dishwashers and other hospitality staff responsible for serving spectators during major sporting events.
Union Co-President Kurt Petersen warned that a strike could significantly affect premium hospitality services during the tournament.
The union has also expressed concerns over the role of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, arguing that workers should be permitted to leave their posts if the presence of immigration agents creates concerns for their safety.
Additionally, some workers have raised objections to requirements that personal information be submitted to FIFA as part of the accreditation process for World Cup staff, amid fears that such data could be shared with immigration authorities.
Speaking through a union statement, stadium bartender Cesar Zamora said workers were seeking respect, security and fair treatment as the tournament approaches.
“The FIFA World Cup will generate enormous profits, but we are still fighting for basic respect and security,” he said.
SoFi Stadium, which opened in 2020 and is widely regarded as one of the most expensive sports venues ever built, is scheduled to host eight matches during the World Cup.
The prospect of industrial action comes as organizers finalize preparations for the global football tournament, which is expected to attract millions of fans and generate billions of dollars in economic activity across host cities.
