Workers at LA stadium threaten World Cup strike amid anger over ICE

Unite Here co-president demands improvement in working conditions and urges Fifa to keep ICE away from matches A hospitality union that represents about 2,000 workers at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles has threatened to strike during the World Cup if Fifa leaders do not heed their concerns about working conditions and the presence of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This summer, SoFi Stadium will be thrust into the national spotlight as it hosts eight World Cup matches. Between June and July, Los Angeles is estimated to see 150,000 more out-of-town visitors than typical for the time period. Kurt Petersen, co-president of Unite Here Local 11, outlined a slew of union demands in a letter addressed to Fifa president Gianni Infantino and Stan Kroenke, the billionaire sports mogul who built the stadium. Petersen called for the leaders to abide by fair working practices, citing allegations of wage theft overseas during past iterations of the tournament. Petersen also demanded Fifa issue a public statement saying ICE has no place in the city or at the games. In February, New Jersey congresswoman Nellie Pou asked ICE’s acting director Todd Lyons at a House hearing if the agency woul