SA: Workers threaten strike action

  1. Posted on Tuesday 9 June 2009 - 14:26
    Mernat
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    Mernat Mafirakurewa, AfricaNews reporter in Johannesburg, South Africa
    The National Union for Mine Workers has threatened a strike action that could derail progress on the construction of major projects. They include the Gautrain, airports and stadiums for the 2010 World Cup. The union is deadlocked in talks with the SA Federation of Civil Engineers in wage negotiations.
    South Africa celebrates rugby world cup, photo: Elles van Gelder
    Lesiba Seshoko, spokesman for 50,000 strong NUM workers said the strike would go ahead if they are not awarded a salary increment. “Fifteen percent sounds big, but it is not much for workers who are getting R2, 500 a month,” said Seshoko.

    He said the strike would definitely bring all world cup projects to a halt including airport projects.

    NUM is expected to approach the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration on June 17 to resolve the matter. The Union is demanding 15 percent and said the offer by employers is unacceptable because it is below the 8.4 percent inflation rate.

    Seshoko said that, though workers were patriotic and knew the damage their actions could cause in the run-up to the 2010 World Cup, they nevertheless felt their actions would be justified.

    In November 2007, several 2010 construction workers downed tools in a wage dispute, causing delays in the construction of Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban. Last August, several working days were lost in a strike by sub-contractors at the Mbombela stadium in Nelspruit.

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