Winning Ugly Radio / MLS Show / American Soccer Show / twofootedtackle -> Workers in South Africa go on strike

Workers in South Africa go on strike

Track this topic | Email this topic | Print this topic

Murkyhumor

Posted: Jul 8 2009, 05:09 PM

Nobody gets my humor

Group: Members
Posts: 37
Member No.: 14
Joined: 7-July 09

From ESPN

QUOTE

JOHANNESBURG -- South African construction workers went on an indefinite strike Wednesday at stadiums being built for the 2010 World Cup -- a move that could derail Africa's historic first World Cup tournament.

Thousands of workers at stadiums across the country put down their tools after wage negotiations deadlocked earlier this week. Workers are demanding a 13 percent pay increase while employers are offering 10.4 percent.

The strike could delay completion of flagship projects such as the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg and stadiums in Cape Town and Durban. Other stadiums in smaller towns have also been affected.

The venues need to be completed by December to meet deadlines set by the game's ruling body FIFA before the tournament kicks off in June 2010.

Lesiba Seshoka of the National Union of Mineworkers, which represents construction workers, said 70,000 workers were involved in the strike, which would continue until employers met their demands.

He said the union was not worried about the completion of the stadiums -- that was a concern of the tournament's local organizing committee.

"We are worried about our families getting food, not a rich man buying a ticket to watch a game," he said.

Joe Campanella, from the South African Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors, which represents construction companies, said only 11,000 workers took part in the strike.

He has said the deal offered by employers amounts to a 65 percent increase, including benefits.

However, the unions have complained that some workers are earning about $1.50 an hour and others $5 a week. Workers in South Africa are supposed to earn a minimum wage of about $200 a month.

The strike has been criticized for jeopardizing South Africa's chances of hosting a successful World Cup -- a monthlong event avidly watched by hundreds of millions around the world.

But the Congress of South African Trade Unions, which represents the country's largest trade union federations, has come out in support of the construction workers and says the dispute is not targeted at the World Cup.

"COSATU, and the construction workers, are as passionate about the 2010 World Cup as anyone, and will do everything possible to ensure its success. But we will not tolerate the stadiums being built by workers who are underpaid or working in dangerous or unhealthy conditions," the organization said in a statement.

Danny Jordaan, chief executive of the local organizing committee, said the strike would soon be resolved and was confident the stadiums will be completed on schedule.

"The construction workers have been the lifeblood of the 2010 FIFA World Cup project. Their hard work has ensured that we are on track to meet our deadlines and that our stadiums will be among the best in the world next year," he said in a statement.

Patrick Geqeza, a shop steward at the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg, said he understood the importance of having the World Cup in South Africa and completing the stadiums in time.

"We feel bad about going on strike," he said, but added there was little alternative.

Yeesh, i'd be striking on those wages too, talk about paltry. This is most likely going to be cleared up before the world cup, but what alternative venues would it move to if it doesn't? I remember a quote from somewhere from a US official bragging about how we only needed a few days notice to host any tournament.

--------------------

Seattle bandwagon supporter since 2009!

aggiefan6	Posted: Jul 8 2009, 08:52 PM
Conference Group: Members Posts: 20 Member No.: 8 Joined: 7-July 09	yeah, the wages are ish and they deserve better. The world will be looking at South Africa, and they know it so they will give the workers what they want. I have heard those rumors about how it could come here if something didn't work out, but at this point, I doubt it moves. That would be ridiculous in terms of logistics. what with tickets already sold. But..i would love to see it come here! i want to see some soccer! -------------------- twentysixpanels.wordpress.com Twitter

AJ1993	Posted: Jul 8 2009, 09:07 PM
Couch Potato Group: Members Posts: 84 Member No.: 17 Joined: 8-July 09	WORLD CUP 2010 in... ENGLAND! -------------------- MY RESPECT CAMPAIGN (Teams I don't support but I respect): Newcastle United Chester City Rubin Kazan FC Union Berlin Dynamos (Zimbabwe) Hannover 96 NO RESPECT CAMPAIGN (Teams that I'd have to be dead to support): Arsenal Liverpool Barcelona

MFUSA	Posted: Jul 9 2009, 05:55 AM
The "Serious" One Group: Moderator Posts: 80 Member No.: 3 Joined: 6-July 09	The blogging community is falling over themselves to report this because of the implications, but I'm hesitant-while it's definitely news, I can't see the tournament being moved at this point. And as much as I would love a World Cup in the US before 2022 (when I'm guessing we'll get it), I having the feeling that hosting without a decent run up wouldn't really be a good thing. -------------------- Match Fit USA Examining the State of American Soccer MFUSA on Twitter AmSoc on iTunes

MJ_in_Pitt	Posted: Jul 9 2009, 10:56 AM
Championship Group: WUR Panelist Posts: 119 Member No.: 12 Joined: 7-July 09	This whole thing is just a big marketing ploy for "District 9" I'm pretty sure! Seriously though, I can't see them moving the Cup at this point. The stadia will get finished just like they did for the Olympics in Greece. If there is really something to be concerned about it should just be the general infrastructure of South Africa.

MJ_in_Pitt

Posted: Jul 9 2009, 12:06 PM

Championship

Group: WUR Panelist
Posts: 119
Member No.: 12
Joined: 7-July 09

QUOTE (MFUSA @ Jul 9 2009, 05:55 AM)

The blogging community is falling over themselves to report this because of the implications, but I'm hesitant-while it's definitely news, I can't see the tournament being moved at this point.

And as much as I would love a World Cup in the US before 2022 (when I'm guessing we'll get it), I having the feeling that hosting without a decent run up wouldn't really be a good thing.

I've reached out to someone I know in South Africa. Should be an interesting response.

MFUSA	Posted: Jul 9 2009, 01:04 PM
The "Serious" One Group: Moderator Posts: 80 Member No.: 3 Joined: 6-July 09	I decided to write an opinion on the possibility of the US being a contingency option... http://www.matchfitusa.com/2009/07/us-as-w...ck-opinion.html -------------------- Match Fit USA Examining the State of American Soccer MFUSA on Twitter AmSoc on iTunes

Murkyhumor	Posted: Jul 9 2009, 05:49 PM
Nobody gets my humor Group: Members Posts: 37 Member No.: 14 Joined: 7-July 09	It was never a serious thought that it would be moved to me, I'm sure FIFA would do everything it can to keep it in South Africa. The US speculation was just idle fancy on my part. Nevertheless, good read, thanks for the article. ps. If it does move to England, wouldn't that increase our chances in 2018? From reading This article it seems that 2022 is more likely for the US at this point. (again, this is idle speculation) -------------------- Seattle bandwagon supporter since 2009!

Ginge	Posted: Jul 15 2009, 09:04 AM
Oh No, Not Again. Group: Admin Posts: 222 Member No.: 2 Joined: 6-July 09	Seems the strike is over. LINK Guess that means we all get suffer through another tournament with those blasted vuvuzelas next summer. -------------------- Ginge Talks the Footy \| http://www.twitter.com/GTTF

THE SCOTT

Posted: Jul 15 2009, 10:11 AM

Haz Lil' T-Rex Arms

Group: Admin
Posts: 177
Member No.: 6
Joined: 7-July 09

QUOTE (Ginge @ Jul 15 2009, 09:04 AM)

Seems the strike is over. LINK

Guess that means we all get suffer through another tournament with those blasted vuvuzelas next summer.

We can pretend its not over for WUR tonight though........

--------------------

BE UGLY
Winning Ugly Radio

aggiefan6	Posted: Jul 15 2009, 02:14 PM
Conference Group: Members Posts: 20 Member No.: 8 Joined: 7-July 09	who's on WUR tonight? and yay for south africa! way to pay your workers! -------------------- twentysixpanels.wordpress.com Twitter

Ginge

Posted: Jul 15 2009, 02:32 PM

Oh No, Not Again.

Group: Admin
Posts: 222
Member No.: 2
Joined: 6-July 09

QUOTE (aggiefan6 @ Jul 15 2009, 03:14 PM)

who's on WUR tonight?

Me, Sandra and a Super Special Mystery Guest!

--------------------

Ginge Talks the Footy | http://www.twitter.com/GTTF

SirHenry

Posted: Jul 16 2009, 07:09 AM

A Knight of Highbury

Group: Members
Posts: 143
Member No.: 25
Joined: 13-July 09

QUOTE (Ginge @ Jul 15 2009, 02:32 PM)

QUOTE (aggiefan6 @ Jul 15 2009, 03:14 PM)

who's on WUR tonight?

Me, Sandra and a Super Special Mystery Guest!

Who could it be?

Mork???

--------------------

A Dragon in a Bunny suit is still a Dragon...

Twiggster

Posted: Jul 17 2009, 03:14 PM

Sandras Secret Yorkshire Fantasy (!)

Group: Members
Posts: 232
Member No.: 27
Joined: 17-July 09

QUOTE (Ginge @ Jul 15 2009, 05:04 PM)

Seems the strike is over. LINK

Guess that means we all get suffer through another tournament with those blasted vuvuzelas next summer.

Fraid so: BZZZZZ = BOOOOOO

For fukksakes!

This is going to be the worst W.Cup EVER!

--------------------

MFUSA	Posted: Jul 17 2009, 07:24 PM
The "Serious" One Group: Moderator Posts: 80 Member No.: 3 Joined: 6-July 09	I hate them, but I think I'll just start tuning them out after awhile, like I did during the Confed Cup. Crowds will be bigger though, so maybe it will be maddening. But hey, at least the Yanks have a leg up on most because we're used to them now. -------------------- Match Fit USA Examining the State of American Soccer MFUSA on Twitter AmSoc on iTunes

« Next Oldest | Road to the World Cup 2010 | Next Newest »