US stadium workers announce strike, demand ICE ban ahead of World Cup opener

“SoFi Stadium cashiers, dishwashers, cooks, bartenders, concessions workers, and food attendants have voted 96 per cent in favour of authorising a strike, meaning workers could walk off the job at any moment if their demands are not met,” the union said in a press release on Friday.
“Negotiations are scheduled to continue on Monday ahead of the USA vs Paraguay match on June 12,” it added.
If an agreement cannot be reached, a union committee of workers would determine when the strike would take place.
The Athletic reported that the union had previously alerted FIFA to the issue the strike would present.
FIFA is requiring background checks for all stadium workers at this summer’s event, and any replacement workers brought in should the strike begin would not have prior approval.
The union also asked FIFA to ensure that no US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are permitted inside venues during the World Cup due to concerns for the safety of its workers.
“Workers must have the right to walk off the job if federal immigration enforcement enters the stadium and creates a reasonable fear for their safety — no worker should have to choose between their job and their freedom,” the press release said.







