Workers at 70,000-Capacity World Cup Stadium Vote to Strike Just Days Before Opening Match

ONE of the World Cup’s banner venues is on strike just days before the tournament gets underway.

The US’ plans have been thrown into chaos with news that 96 percent of the 2,000 workers at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles have voted to go on strike.

Sofi Stadium in Inglewood was only opened in 2020 Credit: PA USA have two games at the stadium and this throws their plans into chaos Credit: PA

The union UNITE HERE Local 11 represent workers at the venue and they have been battling with the stadium operators, Legends Global, for better pay among other issues.

In a press release issued Friday night, the union said: “SoFi Stadium cashiers, dishwashers, cooks, bartenders, concessions workers, and food attendants have voted 96 per cent in favor of authorising a strike, meaning workers could walk off the job at any moment if their demands are not met.

“Negotiations are scheduled to continue Monday ahead of the vs match on June 12th.”

Negotiations with were broken off last week after multiple bargaining sessions failed to yield a compromise.

Now the Union has pulled the ultimate power move with USA set to face Paraguay on June 12.

However, the stadium insists they have a contingency plan should the worst happen.

SoFi Stadium is scheduled ⁠to host eight World Cup matches. The list includes two of the United ​States’ three group-stage matches and three knockout-stage ​matches, one of which is a quarterfinal on July 10.

The stadium has hosted several huge events but the workers have as series of demands Credit: Getty

In an interview with The Athletic last week, the union’s co-president, Kurt Petersen, said Legends “were not taking the concerns and demands seriously enough.”

The union first suggested they would be prepared to strike back in April.

Interestingly, the venue is the home of the NFL’s two Los Angeles teams, the Chargers and the Rams and owned by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment – who also own Premier League champions .

has a significant problem if the strike goes ahead because any replacement workers may not be accredited in advance, with FIFA’s process requiring background checks long before the tournament.

FIFA would need to hastily put together a fast-track process if that were to be the case.

Among the demands from the union, they also want restrictions on the use of subcontractors operating at SoFi, while also requesting that FIFA not permit any or automation at the arena as to protect union jobs.

They have also called on FIFA to make a public commitment that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will not be permitted at World Cup venues during the tournament for the safety of their workers.

FIFA have yet to make any commitments on any of the demands.

They also addressed the pay issues in their Friday statement, which suggested they’ve been offered “25 cents here or there rather than movement in dollars.”

They said they want: “Pay that reflects the true cost of living in Los Angeles, including premium pay for World Cup and other mega-events, and payment to a housing fund to build housing for hospitality workers”.

In response, a spokesperson for the stadium operator said: “Legends Global has presented progressive wage proposals to UNITE HERE Local 11 throughout our negotiations and remains confident an agreement is within reach.

“While we expect a contract will be finalised in time, a contingency staffing plan is in place to ensure seamless operations and no disruption to fans.

“We remain committed to delivering an outstanding hospitality experience at the FIFA World Cup matches at Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium).”