SoFi Stadium Workers Vote to Strike Ahead of World Cup

Workers at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike ahead of the World Cup, with 96% approval from the Local 11 Union, which represents 2,000 food and beverage workers. The workers are demanding better pay and assurances that federal immigration agents will not be allowed to enter the venue during the tournament.

The strike authorization comes as contract negotiations with the stadium's food service operator, Legends Global, have not made significant progress regarding economic issues and workplace safety. The World Cup is set to begin on June 12, and the union has scheduled new talks for Monday ahead of the first match.

The SoFi Stadium, which opened in 2020 at a cost exceeding $5 billion, will host eight World Cup matches. Union co-president Kurt Petersen emphasized the need for workers to be able to walk off the job without fear of immigration enforcement, while worker Cesar Zamora stated that they deserve better treatment.