Strikes Threaten 2010 World Cup Build In South Africa

Workers are threatening to stop construction at stadiums being built for the 2010 soccer World Cup in South Africa over a wage dispute at one site.

Group Five and the National Union of Mineworkers are locked in negotiations in a bid to stop the strike at the Moses Mabhida Stadium from spreading to other 2010 stadiums under construction.

Lesiba Seshoka, spokesman for the National Union of Mineworkers, which also represents construction workers, said that notices had been issued Tuesday to employers at 10 stadiums telling them a national sympathy strike would start in a week if workers' demands in Durban weren't met.Hundreds of striking workers at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban stopped working a week ago in protest over poor pay conditions and marched on the town hall Wednesday.

The union is demanding a minimum wage of US$1.62 an hour and project bonuses of $221.46 a month for each worker and safety improvements.