Middle ground key to 2010 strikes
Craig Urquhart
9 November 2007Government, big business, foreign investors and 2010 role-players are keeping a close eye on the latest strike action which threatens to affect another important World Cup construction project.
Backed by the National Union of Mineworkers, about 1 200 workers at Durban's Moses Mabhida stadium have downed tools after spending the past few days deadlocked with management over bonuses, backpay and safety issues.
It's not the first time that 2010 Fifa World Cup projects have been affected by labour disputes. In September, a tense stand-off between workers and management at Cape Town's 2010 stadium (which, like Durban, is scheduled to host a semifinal) saw several working days lost. And there have been labour disruptions on other 2010-related projects.
For many casual observers, the alarm bells are ringing, particularly because of the tight deadlines that need to be met.
However, the dissatisfaction is coming from a small minority of a very large 2010 workforce, which will continue to swell in all sectors of the economy in the build-up to the tournament.
During a recent visit to South Africa, Alain Leiblang, who is in charge of communications for Fifa, said the labour disruptions were part and parcel of preparations of an event of this magnitude. And he was quick to point out that the governing body has experienced far worse, including a national strike in France on the eve of that country's World Cup in 1998.
The R25-billion Gautrain rapid rail project, which has also been interrupted by wage disputes, is back on track thanks to a new initiative. To discourage strikes that could hold up progress on the world's biggest public-private partnership project, the Gautrain Management Agency is now paying an "attendance bonus".
The bonus is cumulative, and workers who fulfil their obligations could receive up to four months' salary on completion of their contracts.
Whatever it takes, construction workers, their unions and 2010 project managers need to find a middle ground and work for the common good of the country.
Urquhart is a former Fifa World Cup media officer and the current editor of Project 2010
