Stadium workers near Los Angeles say they have reached a tentative contract deal, averting a strike ahead of the United States men’s national team opening World Cup match Friday.
The union announced the deal at a news conference Tuesday.
The union representing 2,000 bartenders, servers, cooks and dishwashers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, voted last week to authorize a strike after contract talks had stalled with the stadium’s food service provider, Legends Global.
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Workers represented by UNITE HERE Local 11 said they were seeking pay increases, protections from subcontracting and security on the job amid ramped-up immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump‘s administration.
The World Cup is expected to draw millions of fans to matches across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, over 39 days this summer.
UNITE HERE Local 11 co president Kurt Petersen singled the agreement out as ‘the strongest at any NFL stadium,” citing raises that will give most workers $40 per hour or more with tip workers to see their pay increase by at least 30%.
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Community groups in other World Cup host cities such as Atlanta and Miami also have called for a halt on U.S. immigration enforcement during the matches, fearing arrests near stadiums and watch parties could dampen the festivities.
Eight matches are scheduled for SoFi Stadium, starting with Friday’s match between the U.S. and Paraguay.
