Hospitality workers across multiple 2026 World Cup host cities are threatening to strike, with walkouts already possible in Los Angeles and Seattle.
According to the hospitality workers union Unite Here, more than 2,000 bartenders, cooks, dishwashers and servers at Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium have voted to authorize a strike ahead of the U.S. vs. Paraguay match on June 12. The union said these workers are asking for increased wages, limits on AI and subcontracting and the right to strike if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enters their workplace.
In Seattle, 94% of Unite Here Local 8 members at the Embassy Suites Pioneer Square, which is adjacent to Lumen Field, have also voted to authorize a strike. Workers there are pushing for a new contract covering ICE protections, raises and enhanced healthcare and staffing levels.
Once a strike is authorized, Unite Here said the union could call a strike at any time, including during World Cup games.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia's Unite Here Local 274 has set a citywide strike deadline of June 12 for hotels that have not yet signed new union contracts. Properties at risk include the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown, the Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District, the Hilton Philadelphia at Penn's Landing, the Warwick Hotel Rittenhouse Square and the Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City.
Members in Philadelphia are seeking wage, pension and health coverage increases as well as workload reductions for room attendants.
"Unite Here members across the country are prepared to give a warm welcome to fans to their cities, but they may not be able to do so if they are still struggling for good union contracts that ensure good wages and benefits," said Unite Here president Gwen Mills in a statement.
Unite Here represents roughly 300,000 workers, primarily within the hotel, gaming and food service sectors across the U.S. and Canada.