INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) 鈥� Stadium workers near Los Angeles have voted to authorize a strike as the venue prepares to host the U.S. men鈥檚 soccer team鈥檚 opening World Cup match.
It doesn鈥檛 guarantee that the 2,000 bartenders, servers, cooks and dishwashers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, will walk off the job. But it gives them the option to do so after contract talks have stalled with the stadium鈥檚 food service provider.
The vote comes days before the stadium near Los Angeles will host the U.S. team鈥檚 opening World Cup match against Paraguay. Union member Yolanda Fierro said that unless a deal is reached workers could go on strike for the June 12 match.
Fierro said workers are concerned about pay and security on the job amid ramped-up immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump’s administration. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said this week the U.S. Department of Homeland Security told him federal authorities would be at the matches to assist with security but not civil immigration enforcement.
鈥淲hat good is the World Cup for Los Angeles when workers don鈥檛 earn enough to pay the rent and must choose between showing up and being kidnapped by ICE?鈥� said Kurt Petersen, co-president of UNITE HERE Local 11. “If we鈥檙e forced to strike, those $100,000 FIFA suites will have nothing but bottled water and Doritos.鈥�
Legends Global, which handles hospitality at SoFi, said the company has a longstanding relationship with the union and is committed to reaching an agreement through contract negotiations.
鈥淲e look forward to delivering an outstanding hospitality experience for fans at the FIFA World Cup matches at SoFi Stadium,鈥� the company said in a statement Wednesday.
Petersen said contract talks have been moving at a 鈥済lacial鈥� pace. He said Legends has agreed to minimal wage increases for cooks and dishwashers and freezes for some suite attendants and bartenders even as the World Cup is expected to reel in ample revenue. The union is also asking Legends for protections from subcontracting and potential federal immigration raids.
Cesar Zamora, a bartender at the stadium, said he is a lifelong soccer fan and is heartbroken to see his employer not making the needed changes before this major event.
鈥淭he FIFA World Cup will generate enormous profits, but we are still fighting for basic respect and security,鈥� he said in a statement. “We deserve better, and if that means going on strike, I鈥檓 ready.鈥�
Community groups in other World Cup host cities such as Atlanta and Miami also have called for a halt on U.S. immigration enforcement during the matches, fearing arrests near stadiums and watch parties could damp the festivities.
The is expected to draw millions of fans to soccer games played in June and July in 11 U.S. host cities as well as in Canada and Mexico.
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