A union representing nearly 2,000 hospitality workers at SoFi Stadium has reached a tentative contract agreement with the venue’s hospitality contractor, averting the possibility of a strike just days before the start of FIFA World Cup matches at the Southern California stadium.
UNITE HERE Local 11 announced that it had reached a deal with Legends Global, which provides hospitality services at the Inglewood venue. Union members, including cashiers, concession workers, bartenders, cooks, dishwashers, and food attendants, are scheduled to vote on ratification on Wednesday.
The agreement comes after workers voted overwhelmingly last week to authorize a strike amid negotiations over wages, job security and safety concerns related to potential federal immigration enforcement activity during the tournament.
According to the union, most workers would receive pay increases that raise wages to $40 per hour or more, while tipped employees would receive a 30% wage increase. The contract would remain in effect through the end of April 2028, several months before the start of the Los Angeles Olympics.
Union leaders highlighted a provision that allows workers to strike immediately if immigration enforcement activity at the stadium is deemed to threaten employee safety.
“These workers are heroes. They stood up to FIFA. They stood up to ICE. They won a historic contract, and they are ready for whatever comes during the World Cup. If federal immigration agencies threaten workers’ safety, our members have the right to walk off the job. That is now in their contract,” said Kurt Petersen, co-president of UNITE HERE Local 11, according to PollStar.
The union previously stated that workers had been operating without a contract for about a year. Negotiations with Legends Global and FIFA had stalled over compensation and safety protections related to immigration enforcement concerns.
Following the agreement, the union said it had secured all major issues it brought to the bargaining table while preserving the right to strike over safety matters. The organization also said workers would have the contractual right to leave their jobs if the union determines in good faith that federal immigration enforcement threatens worker safety during a World Cup match.
Legends Global welcomed the agreement and said it looked forward to providing hospitality services during the tournament.
Workers also sought protections against subcontracting and measures to strengthen job security.
Speaking at a news conference, suite runner Yolanda Fierro said, “This is a very proud moment for all of us. We really want to secure the safety of all our employees.”
The labor dispute unfolded as SoFi Stadium prepared to host multiple World Cup matches, including the United States men’s national team’s opening match against Paraguay on June 12. During the tournament, the venue will be referred to as Los Angeles Stadium under FIFA sponsorship regulations.
The contract agreement removes the threat of a work stoppage that could have disrupted tournament operations at one of the competition’s marquee venues.
