Thousands of construction workers at various infrastructure projects, including 2010 FIFA World Cup stadium projects, would down tools from July 8, over a pay dispute, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) announced on Tuesday.

Talks between the NUM and the South African Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors collapsed last week. The union is demanding a 13% increase for a one-year agreement, while Safcec was offering a 10% increment for the first year and consumer price index for the second year.

“The NUM rejected the insult offered by Safcec and is currently mobilising for a national industrial action,” spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka said in a statement.

Safcec spokesperson Joe Campanella described the decision to go on strike as “premature”, saying that the parties had an agreement which would only run out in August.

He said in an interview that the industry body was considering an interdict against the proposed strike.

The industrial action would affect various projects linked to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, such as the Soccer City, Moses Mabhida and Nelson Mandela stadiums.

The strike action would also impact on transport projects, such as the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project and the Gautrain project, the King Shaka Airport construction, and various port projects.

Union members at South Africa’s two new coal-fired power station projects – Medupi and Kusile – would also down tools.

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