Stadium strike suspended until Friday 31 August 2007 28-08-07 |
COSATU Western Cape Media Release, 28 August 2007
Stadium strike suspended until Friday 31 August 2007The entire building site at Green Point Stadium (a 2010 World Cup project) came to a halt as all the workers went on strike due to the blatant exploitation of workers by the site management. The strike had been un-procedural and had been underway for the last two days, but the demands are absolutely legitimate in terms of the ethics and values of the new South Africa.
The COSATU, NUM, BICAWU interventions had secured the return to work by employees in order to comply with the legalities that were not covered by the wildcat strike. The legalities will now be complied with and should the companies not comply with the legitimate demands of workers by Thursday a legal strike will lead to the closure of the stadium site by Friday 31st August 2007.
The issue in dispute is the refusal of the company to compensate all workers equally for the transport assistance. This practice of the company is unfair, discriminatory and immoral. This short-sightedness of the stadium management will lead to protracted strike action at the site and delays in the completion of the stadium.
As COSATU we call on the Government and the company management of Murray and Roberts and WBHO to urgently negotiate a resolution with the unions on the site.
The shutting down of the plant represents a victory for the workers who will ensure that the beneficiaries of the 2010 include workers and the working class. The management will have to address the concerns that the workers have if further strike action on Friday is to be avoided. COSATU supports the workers in their legitimate demands and calls on the City and Provincial Government to stop ducking the issue and get involved in finding a solution that is fair and equitable.
For question please call Tony Ehrenreich at 082 7733 194
or Noel Coetzee at 082 882 0199