Workers at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles on Friday voted in to strike for higher wages, a week before the venue is scheduled to host the US soccer team’s first World Cup match.
The measure was approved by 96 percent of Unite Here Local 11 members at the stadium, according to the union, after contract negotiations with Legends Global, the subcontractor managing food and beverage service at the venue, faltered. Talks are expected to resume on Monday.
The union represents roughly 2,000 food service workers, including bartenders, dishwashers, cooks and concession workers at the venue. Legends did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Photo: AP
SoFi, home to the National Football League’s Rams and Chargers, is hosting eight World Cup football matches.
Tickets for the June 12 game pitting the US against Paraguay start at US$2,000. The next match is scheduled for June 15 and features Iran and New Zealand.
Workers at SoFi stadium demanded protection to keep their personal information from US immigration authorities. Last June, US President Donald Trump ordered federal troops to Los Angeles to quell protests against raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
ICE agents would be assisting with stadium security during the matches, LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said at a press conference this week.
“But in regards to civil immigration enforcement, they told us that specifically will not be occurring at any of the games.” Luna said at a June 1 press conference in Los Angeles. “Any of that’s subject to change, but I have trust that they’re giving me the appropriate information because if that starts occurring, we’re going to have a whole new host of problems.”
Los Angeles is one of 11 US cities hosting matches with others taking place at three cities in Mexico and two in Canada, starting June 11.
The 48 national teams are going to play 104 matches, ending with a July 19 championship at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Other major events coming to SoFi include the 2027 Super Bowl and the 2028 Olympics swimming event.
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