06/05/26 09:33:00
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06/05 21:28 CDT Stadium workers near Los Angeles vote to authorize a strike
days before the World Cup begins
Stadium workers near Los Angeles vote to authorize a strike days before the
World Cup begins
By AMY TAXIN
Associated Press
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) --- Stadium workers near Los Angeles have voted to
authorize a strike as the venue prepares to host the U.S. men's soccer team's
opening World Cup match.
It doesn't 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's
food service provider.
The vote comes days before the stadium near Los Angeles will host the U.S.
team's 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.
"What good is the World Cup for Los Angeles when workers don't earn enough to
pay the rent and must choose between showing up and being kidnapped by ICE?"
said Kurt Petersen, co-president of UNITE HERE Local 11. "If we're forced to
strike, those $100,000 FIFA suites will have nothing but bottled water and
Doritos."
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.
"We look forward to delivering an outstanding hospitality experience for fans
at the FIFA World Cup matches at SoFi Stadium," the company said in a statement
Wednesday.
Petersen said contract talks have been moving at a "glacial" 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.
"The FIFA World Cup will generate enormous profits, but we are still fighting
for basic respect and security," he said in a statement. "We deserve better,
and if that means going on strike, I'm ready."
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 World Cup 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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