Construction strike in South Africa could affect World Cup

[Blue_Tires]

Source: Reuters

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African construction workers began an indefinite strike on Wednesday, halting work at stadiums for the 2010 World Cup in the biggest industrial action since new President Jacob Zuma took office in May.

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said the action by about 70,000 workers would continue until employers gave in to their demand for a 13 percent pay rise. The companies have so far refused to go beyond 10 percent.

Escalating strike action is a major challenge for Zuma, who has to balance the demands of the union and leftist allies who helped bring him to office with keeping market-friendly policies at a time Africa's biggest economy is in its first recession in 17 years.

The union, South Africa's biggest, said most of its members in the building sector had joined the protest at sites for the stadiums and other big infrastructure projects.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUSTRE5673FO20090708

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fyi: the construction workers currently make the equivalent of $1.75 an hour

[tabatha]

1. photo

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ndofaya/3701128396/

They deserve a raise, and they probably have time on their side.

[Fearless]

2. The sad irony is if it is moved they will lose out on millions of dollars.

Not that I condone their working conditions one bit.

[bertman]

3. Wow. That's a tough stance to take. I hope they come out alright in this effort.

If they screw things up and the Cup gets moved it's going to set South Africa back big time internationally.

If this is a good gamble and the construction companies can make it work so they get the raise and the Cup goes forward, it'll be a big win.

I hope they get a win-win on this.

[Blue_Tires]

4. ttt