World Cup organisers to engage unions over strike

The World Cup local organising committee (LOC) intends speaking to trade unions about a looming strike in the construction industry, it said in Johannesburg on Thursday.

All it knew about the strike was what had been reported in the media, said LOC chairperson Irvin Khoza.

“This matter is now referred to the [executive committee] of the board to engage the respective unions,” he said.

Khoza emphasised the board was “not going to interfere” with the workers’ right to strike. This, even though a strike would affect the LOC’s undertaking to have all stadiums completed six months before the World Cup starts on June 11 2010.

A total of 10 stadiums are to be used in the tournament.

Of these, five are ready. This includes the new stadium at Nelson Mandela Bay, Port Elizabeth.

Another five are still under construction. These are Soccer City in Johannesburg, which is undergoing a major upgrade, and new stadiums being built in Polokwane, Nelspruit, Durban and Cape Town.—Sapa