US World Cup Workers Threaten Strikes in 3 Cities as 2,000 SoFi Staff Back Walkout
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 9
US World Cup Workers Threaten Strikes in 3 Cities as 2,000 SoFi Staff Back Walkout
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 9
Summary
About 2,000 SoFi Stadium food-service workers in Los Angeles voted 96% to authorize a strike, putting the US opener against Paraguay on 12 June at risk of disruption.
Workers in Los Angeles, Seattle and Philadelphia say they want new contracts with pay above $30 an hour, steadier health coverage, better staffing and protections from ICE.
Seattle’s Embassy Suites Hilton near Lumen Field saw roughly 100 workers vote 94% for strike authorization, while unionized staff at six Philadelphia hotels face a 12 June strike deadline after contracts expired.
The labor push also targets FIFA’s accreditation policy requiring workers to disclose immigration information; unions, the ACLU of Southern California and LAANE filed a complaint with California agencies.
Hotels and concessionaire Legends Global said they are bargaining in good faith and preparing contingency plans, while FIFA declined comment on the wider strike threats and immigration-policy criticism.
Will looming strikes over wages and immigration fears disrupt the World Cup's opening matches in major US cities?
As World Cup security tightens, why are workers demanding protection from immigration enforcement inside the stadiums?
Labor Strikes, Data Privacy, and Immigration Fears Threaten 2026 FIFA World Cup in U.S. Host Cities
Overview
SoFi Stadium is facing a major labor dispute just days before the U.S. men’s World Cup opener, as contract talks between Legends Global and UNITE HERE Local 11 have stalled. The main issue is FIFA’s strict demand for collecting personal information from workers for security, which Legends Global says it cannot resolve in negotiations. This has led to a looming strike threat that could disrupt key World Cup events. The situation highlights how FIFA’s security requirements are creating obstacles for local agreements, putting both the tournament and the fan experience at risk.