In a significant move, the union representing the workforce at SoFi Stadium has overwhelmingly voted, with 96% in favor, to authorize a strike. This decision emerges just a week before the 2026 World Cup events, potentially disrupting operations as the stadium gears up to play a pivotal role in the tournament.
Unite Here Local 11, the union in question, advocates for nearly 2,000 employees at the stadium, including cooks, dishwashers, concession workers, bartenders, and servers. Members cast their votes on Thursday and Friday to decide on the strike action.
The decision to proceed with a strike is rooted in stalled negotiations with both the stadium’s food service operator and FIFA, highlighting ongoing disputes.
“The staff at SoFi Stadium, including cashiers, dishwashers, cooks, bartenders, and concessions workers, have voted with a 96% majority to authorize a strike. This means workers may opt to leave their posts at any time if their demands remain unmet,” the union declared in a statement.
Negotiations are slated to continue on Monday, just before the anticipated USA vs. Paraguay match on June 12th, aiming for a resolution.
Unite Here Local 11 represents an extensive network of over 32,000 hospitality workers across Southern California, underscoring the union’s significant influence in the region.
“Union members point to the enormous revenues SoFi Stadium, including individual suite packages for more than $100,000, will generate during the World Cup and demand that the frontline workers providing this hospitality service deserve a fair share,” Unite Here said in a statement to ABC 7.
Key Union Demands:
Immigration Safety Protocols: The right for employees to halt work and exit the venue if federal immigration enforcement activity creates a reasonable safety concern.
Legends Global’s latest offer to the union included wage freezes for some suite attendants and bartenders, as well a 25 cent annual hourly wage increase for cooks and dishwashers.
Living Wage Standards: Pay structures adjusted for the Los Angeles cost of living, featuring premium rates for mega-events like the World Cup, alongside employer contributions to a dedicated hospitality worker housing fund.
Automation & Outsourcing Limits: Robust safeguards against job erosion caused by subcontracting, AI, and workplace automation.
The union’s members say they’re intimidated that immigration officials could snap them up based on how they “look.”
“It’s kind of scary when you feel that you’re in a bubble and you’re trying to walk to work, and not knowing if somebody is going to snatch and grab you and take you into custody because of how you look,” Yolanda Fierro, a suites runner at the stadium, told ABC7. “We just want to get to work, have fun, take care of our clients.”
The World Cup is scheduled to start on June 12 to wide fanfare in the United States with the American team facing off against Paraguay. Eight matches will be played at SoFi Stadium before the acclaimed tournament heads elsewhere.
Federal immigration authorities say ICE and HSI agents will be deployed “every day” during the 2026 FIFA World Cup to combat crimes tied to the massive international event, including counterfeit tickets, drug smuggling and human trafficking. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the focus would be on targeting “the worst of the worst,” not mass arrests.
