Construction workers at 2010 soccer stadiums have declared a wage dispute with their employers, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said on Monday.
”We have declared a dispute with the CCMA [Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration],” said NUM spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka.
”The possibility for strike action is great.”
Seshoka said the South African Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors (Safcec) had offered a 7% wage increase.
”We demanded 15% but the employer is only prepared to offer 7%.”
Seshoka said the parties were scheduled to meet at the CCMA on June 19.
Safcec represents several big construction companies, including Group 5, Murray & Roberts, WBHO and Grinaker-LTA.
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. — Sapa