US stadium and hotel workers threaten strikes ‘to make things fair’ during World Cup

Fifa signage seen at the LA Stadium, temporarily renamed from SoFi Stadium. Photograph: Patrick T Fallon/AFP/Getty Images View image in fullscreen Fifa signage seen at the LA Stadium, temporarily renamed from SoFi Stadium. Photograph: Patrick T Fallon/AFP/Getty Images US stadium and hotel workers threaten strikes ‘to make things fair’ during World Cup Low wages and fears of ICE crackdowns have set workers on edge of strike as thousands set to arrive during World Cup Hospitality and food service workers in several US cities hosting World Cup games are warning of looming labor disputes and possible strikes as the largest single sport tournament in the world gets ready to kick off on 11 June. In Los Angeles, California, about 2,000 workers at SoFi Stadium represented by Unite Here Local 11 voted 96% in favor of a strike authorization as workers are seeking a new union contract with wage increases and protections from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Cashiers, dishwashers, cooks, bartenders, concessions workers and food attendants at the stadium, could walk off the job at any time. The US’s opening match, against Paraguay, is scheduled to take place at SoFi Stadium on 12 June. “We’re just trying to make things fair,” said Eva Miles, a bartender at SoFi stadium since it opened in 2021. “Without us, they don’t have a stadium. Are they going to cook? Are they going to pour those drinks? Are they going to serve these people?” 9:34 Zohran Mamdani plays the Guardian's Bracketology to predict World Cup winner – video Miles said she and her coworkers cannot afford to live near the stadium on the wages they’re currently paid. She commutes 2 hours to work every day and said some coworkers have even longer journeys. “Let’s see them live on our wage, let’s see them raise a family,” added Miles. Workers are pushing for pay above $30 an hour . “I’ve been there since the beginning. I love meeting new people. I want my guests to be happy, and I want them to enjoy it and have a great experience. I know they spend a lot of money, and I know they’re spending a lot of money on this Fifa World Cup, so I don’t understand why we can’t get what we want and everybody be happy.” The unions, ACLU of Southern California, and LAANE, have also filed a formal complaint with California privacy protection agency and the California department of justice, over Fifa’s accreditation policy that requires workers to divulge immigration information in order to work this summer’s World Cup. Enrique Fernández, general vice-president for immigration, civil rights, and diversity at Unite Here, noted many members of the union are immigrants who will be working at hospitality venues across World Cup host cities. Members of the union include immigrants from nearly 200 countries; the union traces its foundation back to the 1912 Bread and Roses strike of textile workers in Lawrence, Massachusetts, organized by immigrant founders of the union. “They experience the effects of anti-immigrant