Some 70,000 construction workers are set to down tools at 2010 World Cup stadia and Gautrain sites this week following a Labour Court ruling in their favour on Monday.
The Labour Court in Johannesburg heard an application by the SA Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors (Safcec) for an interdict against the strike action on Friday.
"The Labour Court did not grant the interdict," said Safcec spokesman Joe Campanella.
Safcec argued that an agreement between the employer and the construction worker unions would prohibit any strike action before September.
"But the judge found that the peace obligation in the agreement was not clear enough," Campanella said.
National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) spokesman Lesiba Seshoka said the ruling in their favour would allow more than 70,000 workers to strike.
"The Labour Court has this morning [Monday] ruled in favour of the NUM and dismissed the case with costs. Over 70,000 construction workers will on Wednesday down tools," said Seshoka, adding that this represented about 96 percent of the workforce.
"All soccer cup stadia, the mining construction companies and power stations will be affected. Gautrain workers will also be striking."
The strike relates to a wage dispute in which NUM is demanding a 13% increase while Safcec is offering 10%.
Campanella said wage talks would continue on Monday.
"Negotiations are taking place with the CCMA [Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration]... we are hoping that we will find a resolution before Wednesday."
However, Seshoka said unless the employers gave in to worker demands by the close of business on Monday, the strike would go ahead.
"Judgment has been passed. The matter is closed. We are going on strike on Wednesday... unless they give us 13 percent by the close of business today [Monday]."
The 2010 World Cup stadiums expected to be affected include the Moses Mobhida in Durban, Nelson Mandela in Port Elizabeth, Peter Mokaba in Polokwane, Green Point in Cape Town, Mbombela in Nelspruit, Soccer City and Mthatha stadiums.
The Fifa deadline for the completion of all stadiums is October 15 this year.
