World Cup workers go on strike again
Reuters - Thursday 01 September 2011, 18:52
RIO DE JANEIRO - World Cup construction
workers at the Maracana went on strike on Thursday for the
second time in two weeks after elements of a pay accord reached
to end the first stoppage were not met, they said.
"We had the promise of an increase in our basic wage and we
haven't received it so far. Also important to the workers is the
inclusion of family members in the health plan," director of the
construction workers' union Luiz Fonseca told reporters.
Two weeks ago labourers refurbishing the giant stadium for
the 2014 World Cup went on strike after a colleague was badly
injured in an on-site explosion. They demanded higher pay,
better security and family health care.
The group in charge of the work, scheduled to be completed
by the end of next year and in good time for the 2013
Confederations Cup, said talks with the union had stalled.
"The consortium believes there is no motive for the present
stoppage and informs it will go immediately to the Labour
Tribunal to get the strike declared illegal and order a return
to work," it said in a statement.
There are 2,000 men working at the stadium that will stage
the World Cup final and may also host the opening match of the
tournament.
The estimated cost of renovations was reduced by 72 million
Brazilian reais to 860 million on Wednesday on
the orders of a federal body that controls public spending after
the value of some services, equipment and materials was queried.
The previous estimate was one billion reais.