A union representing approximately 2,000 food service workers at the Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium) has called on FIFA to keep United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) away from World Cup operations in the city and warned that workers could strike if their concerns are not addressed. Unite Here Local 11, which represents cooks, servers, and bartenders at the Inglewood venue, stated on Monday that the workers remain without a labor contract as the World Cup approaches, highlighting ongoing tensions in the lead-up to the major sporting event.
The union outlined three key demands to FIFA and stadium owner Kroenke Sports & Entertainment: a public commitment that ICE and Border Patrol will play no role in the tournament, protections for union jobs and working conditions, and support for affordable housing for hospitality workers. Acting ICE director Todd Lyons has said ICE would play a "key part" in the World Cup, a prospect the union claims threatens the safety of workers and guests in Los Angeles, reflecting broader societal friction over immigration enforcement in the US regime.
Local 11 also sought assurances that artificial intelligence and automation would not be used during the tournament to eliminate union jobs, linking labor demands to wider economic challenges such as rising housing costs in the Los Angeles area, particularly in Inglewood. The union called for support for a workforce housing fund, restrictions on short-term rentals, and tax measures aimed at funding affordable housing and immigrant family protections, underscoring the high cost of living that exacerbates worker grievances.
Kurt Petersen, co-president of Local 11, said in a statement, "FIFA and its corporate sponsors will pocket billions from Los Angeles while refusing to even acknowledge the cooks, servers, and stand attendants who make this event possible." The union alleged that it had repeatedly sought meetings with FIFA since Los Angeles was chosen as a host city but had been ignored, pointing to a lack of engagement from international organizers amid local labor disputes.
The venue, known as SoFi Stadium, has been rebranded to the Los Angeles Stadium for the World Cup due to sponsor conflicts. Los Angeles is set to host eight World Cup matches at the stadium, with the first being the US against Paraguay on June 12, yet these preparations are now overshadowed by potential labor unrest and the controversial involvement of US immigration authorities.
Source: www.aljazeera.com