Labor SCORES MAJOR WIN Right Before WORLD CUP!!!

Unite Here Local 11 strategically used the impending World Cup, and future Olympics, as leverage to negotiate a comprehensive contract. They argued that mega-events often extract significant resources from host cities (e.g., FIFA making $14 billion without city contributions) and therefore present an opportunity for labor to demand more than just traditional wages, including community benefits.

Kurt Peterson states, 'too often the World Cup, the Olympics, the Super Bowl... take way more out of our city than they give to our city.' FIFA was set to make $14 billion with 'nary a penny' going to any city. (00:04:00, 00:05:01)

The union's demands went significantly beyond traditional wage and benefit negotiations. They successfully secured a contribution to a housing fund for hospitality workers, protections against FIFA's demand for sensitive personal data (Social Security number, country of origin) and its sharing with intelligence agencies, and a ban on new cashier-less automated systems (like 'Maskins') that replace human workers.

The union demanded and won a contribution to a housing fund (00:08:10). They fought against FIFA's requirement for workers to provide social security numbers and country of origin, and to sign agreements allowing data sharing with intelligence agencies (00:09:44, 00:09:52). They also bargained a ban on new cashier-less automated retail units at the stadium (00:15:32, 00:15:59).

A groundbreaking clause in the new contract grants the union the right to strike if they reasonably believe their members' safety is at risk due to ICE or DHS operations, with no retaliation against workers who walk off the job. This is a unique provision, especially for a settled contract, reflecting a deep concern for worker safety and community protection against immigration enforcement.

Kurt Peterson explains the union 'must have the right to stop work, to walk out, to strike if ICE presents a danger to our safety of our members and the fans' (00:24:00). He notes it's 'the only contract in the country, and probably the only contract in the last 50 years that has something like this' (00:25:10).

The mandatory and complex accreditation process for all workers at mega-events (like FIFA's) inadvertently strengthens the union's strike threat. It makes it extremely difficult for employers to bring in 2,000 replacement workers, as those replacements would also need to undergo the confusing and time-consuming accreditation, creating a significant logistical hurdle.

Peterson realized, 'how in God's name are they going to get 2,000 replacement workers accredited for it to replace our members during a strike?' He noted the accreditation process has been 'confusing and difficult' even for regular staff. (00:18:46, 00:19:16)

The contract secured premium pay for workers during major events, recognizing the increased demand and profitability. Workers will receive time-and-a-half for World Cup games and double-time for the Super Bowl, significantly boosting their hourly wages during these high-profile events.

Workers will get paid time and a half for every game of the World Cup, with cooks making over $50 an hour. They also won double time for the Super Bowl, meaning cooks will make $70 an hour. (00:22:34, 00:22:44)