Strike threatens construction of 2010 soccer stadiums in South Africa

[Nebraska Red]

November 14, 2007

 

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) -- Workers are threatening to stop construction at stadiums being built for the 2010 soccer World Cup over a wage dispute at one site.

 

Lesiba Seshoka, spokesman for the National Union of Mineworkers, which also represents construction workers, said that notices had been issued Tuesday to employers at 10 stadiums telling them a national sympathy strike would start in a week if workers' demands in Durban weren't met.

 

Hundreds of striking workers at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban stopped working a week ago in protest over poor pay conditions and marched on the town hall Wednesday.

 

Danny Jordaan, chief executive officer for the 2010 local organizing committee, said efforts were under way to resolve the dispute, the South African Press Association reported.

 

"We are meeting with the city manager tomorrow, when he will brief us regarding the development. Any dispute must be resolved in the quickest possible time," he said.

 

The union is demanding a minimum wage of $1.62 an hour and project bonuses of $221.46 a month for each worker and safety improvements.

 

"We must share part of the 2010 pie," local organizer Bonginkosi Mncwabe told workers outside Durban City Hall.

 

Mncwabe threatened disruptions to the 2010 preliminary draw scheduled for next week in Durban if the demands weren't met, SAPA said. More than 3,000 FIFA delegates are set to converge on Durban for the draw on Nov. 25.

 

Yahoo

 

great wages they are paying!!!

[growler]

well they don't pay $5 a pint either, so its all relative.