LOS ANGELES, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Workers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, reached a tentative labor agreement Tuesday, averting a potential strike days before the venue hosts its first FIFA World Cup match.
The deal, announced by UNITE HERE Local 11 and confirmed by food-service operator Legends Global, covers about 2,000 bartenders, servers, cooks, dishwashers and concession workers. The workers, who had overwhelmingly authorized a strike last week, are scheduled to vote on the agreement Wednesday.
SoFi Stadium is set to host eight FIFA World Cup matches, including Friday's game between the United States and Paraguay.
According to UNITE HERE Local 11, the agreement includes wage increases, protections against subcontracting and automation, and provisions allowing workers to stop work if federal immigration enforcement activities create what the union considers safety risks during tournament operations.
"We won every major issue that we brought to the table," union co-president Kurt Petersen said at a news conference Tuesday.
Legends Global said it was pleased to have reached an agreement and looked forward to providing an outstanding hospitality experience for fans during the tournament.
Public details of the contract remain limited pending ratification. Union officials said the agreement could significantly raise wages over its duration, with some cooks eventually earning close to or more than 40 U.S. dollars per hour.
The contract is expected to remain in effect through April 2028, shortly before Los Angeles hosts the Olympic Games. The deal removes a key source of uncertainty at one of the World Cup's major U.S. venues. It also highlights how large international sporting events can amplify local labor disputes over wages, job security and workplace protections. ■
