SoFi Stadium workers secure 40% pay rise to avert World Cup strike two days before USA opener

A threatened strike at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles has been averted after union UNITE HERE Local 11 and stadium operators Legends Global reached a last-gasp agreement, securing a 40 per cent pay rise for more than 2,000 workers just days before the USA host Paraguay in their World Cup opener on June 12.

The union, representing cooks, dishwashers, servers and bartenders working food and beverage concessions at the venue, had secured authorisation for strike action last week after multiple bargaining sessions concluded without a deal. The threat carried serious weight — a 96 per cent vote in favour of strike action meant workers could have walked off the job at any moment.

Beyond the pay increase, the agreement includes premium pay for designated ‘mega-events’ — a category expected to cover World Cup fixtures — and a provision allowing workers to walk out if the presence of federal agents, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), creates what the deal terms a “reasonable apprehension of harm to the safety and security of workers.” Workers also won assurances that accreditation processes will be less invasive than those FIFA has pursued for the tournament. The agreement is subject to ratification by workers on Wednesday.

The timing is critical for FIFA and World Cup organisers. SoFi Stadium is scheduled to host eight matches across the tournament, beginning with Mauricio Pochettino’s USA side taking on Paraguay. The Americans return to the venue on June 25 for their final group-stage fixture against Turkey. Iran are also set to appear at the stadium twice, facing New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21.

The full schedule of matches at SoFi Stadium runs through to a quarter-final on July 10, taking in two Round of 32 ties along the way. With the tournament now days away, the resolution removes what would have been a significant operational and reputational problem for organisers at one of the competition’s flagship venues.