Bheki Mpofu
9 July 2009
Johannesburg — LABOUR Minister Membathisi Mdladlana has called representatives of striking construction workers and employers to an urgent meeting this morning in bid to resolve a strike that has targeted strategic projects related to next year's Soccer World Cup.
This comes after 70000 members of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the Building Construction and Allied Workers' Union laid down tools yesterday, marking the start of an indefinite strike at several construction sites -- including 2010 stadiums, airports and the Gautrain.
There are concerns that the strike may derail plans to ensure that the remaining stadiums are completed within the deadline set by Fifa.
Both the NUM and the civil engineering employers' body, the South African Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors (Safcec), confirmed yesterday that Mdladlana had called an urgent meeting to find a resolution to the biggest industrial action in the sector to date.
Representatives of the local organising committee (LOC) of the 2010 Soccer World Cup are also expected to attend today's meeting.
" The purpose of the meeting is to endeavour, through facilitation, to seek a mutually acceptable solution to the industrial action," said Safcec spokesman Joe Campanella.
"Safcec remains concerned about the effect that the current industrial action will have on the 2010 World Cup and has reaffirmed its commitment to finding a solution. Safcec has been available throughout the past weeks to the unions for discussion and remains available," Campanella says.
The NUM vowed yesterday to strike until its demands were met.
"We are going to down tools until Safcec comes to its senses. There is a meeting tomorrow (today) between the LOC, minister of labour, NUM and Safcec to see if the dispute can be resolved. We are no longer interested in negotiations and we are hoping that Safcec will be persuaded to come up with the 3% ," NUM spokesman Lesiba Seshoka said. The unions are demanding a 13% wage increase, while Safcec is offering 10,4%.
LOC CEO Danny Jordaan said yesterday the organising committee would continue to urge both parties in the dispute to find a solution as soon as possible. "It has always been the position of the LOC that we respect the right of construction workers on the World Cup stadiums to strike if they feel they have legitimate grievances. This is a right enshrined in our country's constitution. We believe that the strike will be resolved as soon as possible , " said Jordaan.
Meanwhile, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) yesterday threw its weight behind the striking workers, saying it shared their anger over Safcec's refusal to accept their demand of a 13% wage increase.
"This dispute is not targeting the World Cup venues, but is a normal dispute within the entire sector. Cosatu, and the construction workers, are as passionate about the 2010 World Cup as anyone, and will do everything possible to ensure its success. But we will not tolerate the stadiums being built by workers who are underpaid or working in dangerous or unhealthy conditions," Cosatu said.
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