Bheki Mpofu
10 July 2009
Johannesburg — THE construction industry strike looked set to go into a third day last night, despite top-level talks brokered by Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana yesterday.
Early last evening there had been indications that a breakthrough was close to being reached.
Mdladlana called the urgent meeting after thousands of workers began an indefinite strike on Wednesday at several construction sites, including 2010 Soccer World Cup stadiums, airports and the Gautrain.
The marathon which began yesterday morning in Johannesburg was attended by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), the Building Construction and Allied Workers' Union, civil engineering employers' body the South African Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors (Safcec) and the local organising committee of the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
Congress of South African Trade Unions general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi attended along with chairman of the parliamentary portfolio committee on labour, Lumka Yengeni, representatives of the construction companies affected by the strike and Mdladlana.
By late yesterday the parties were still behind closed doors as negotiators tried to end the deadlock. No one was willing to comment on the progress of the talks. The NUM was, however, upbeat yesterday about a quick resolution, saying the strike might not be as prolonged as had previously been thought.
"We were impressed by the positive spirit and approach from all sides at the start of the meeting, and are optimistic a resolution will be found soon ," said NUM spokesman Lesiba Seshoka. The unions want a 13% wage increase, while Safcec is offering 10,4%. Safcec did not want to comment until the end of the talks.
The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) yesterday expressed concern about the effect the construction strike could have on the economy and perceptions that investors would have of the local business environment.
SACCI CEO Neren Rau said the strikers' demands would only worsen the economic downturn, slow economic recovery and hurt SA's image as a desirable investment destination.
"Strikes are used too often and too soon to influence negotiations on socioeconomic issues. In the current economic climate, workers should temper their demands. SA's economy is not immune to the global downturn and unrealistic demands on business will only exacerbate the situation and retard economic recovery," he said.
"SACCI appeals for rational minds to prevail in the negotiations so as not to allow the dispute to jeopardise the World Cup. There is a paramount need for parties to recognise sacrifices must be made and that all must play a constructive part in retaining confidence in SA as a desirable investment destination," Rau said.
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