Hundreds of stewards strike outside Ellis Park

Published Jun. 15, 2010 2:09 p.m. ET

foxsports

Hundreds of stadium stewards are striking outside Ellis Park ahead of the World Cup match between Brazil and North Korea to demand more pay.

A 26-year-old man from Tembisa said Tuesday that more than 2,000 stewards have been striking since 12:30 p.m. (1030 GMT). The match kicks off at 8:30 p.m. (1830 GMT).

He says he's been offered 190 rand ($25) to work 10 hours. He says the pay has been going down since they started work on May 27, adding he would work for 500 rand ($65).

He says ``if they say no, there won't be any security.''

The man spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

World Cup organizers have said that police will take over security if stewards follow colleagues in Cape Town and Durban by striking.