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Officials urge stadium builders to head off pay strikes

Posted On Monday, 19 November 2007 02:00 Published by Commercial Property News
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The Nelson Mandela Bay municipality and the 2010 World Cup local organising committee have distanced themselves from any possible mediation bid to avert a strike at the Port Elizabeth stadium

Construction IndustryThe Nelson Mandela Bay municipality and the 2010 World Cup local organising committee have distanced themselves from any possible mediation bid to avert a strike at the Port Elizabeth stadium.

The municipality, the custodians of the North End stadium, and the committee said that by law they could not intervene between Grinaker LTA and its employees, who are represented by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).

Construction workers at the stadium are set to down tools on Monday in solidarity with workers on strike at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

Municipal spokesman Lourens Schoeman said: “We can‘t intervene. It‘s an employer-employee issue. The contractors and the people who work for them should resolve the issue.”

NUM wants project bonuses of R1 500 a month for each worker and that sub-contractors meet minimum wage requirements.

The impending sympathy strike has sparked fears that the Port Elizabeth stadium, already about two months behind schedule, will not be completed in time to host the Confederations Cup in 2009.

The sports ministry said: “The strikes will have a ripple effect on 2010, and generate negative publicity (for) the 2010 showpiece preliminary draw to be held in Durban (next Sunday).”

Local organising committee spokesman Tim Modise said: “We urge the people involved to really find a solution. Stadiums have got to be completed on time.”

Last modified on Wednesday, 03 July 2013 17:19

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