Strike decision imminent

Johannesburg - Affiliated public sector unions of trade federation Cosatu said on Tuesday their members could decide as early as today whether they will accept government's latest wage offer.

Speaking on behalf of the Cosatu-affiliated unions, Mugwena Maluleke said they treated the wage stand-off and strike, which started on August 18, "as a matter of urgency".

On Monday, government tabled a new offer of a 7.5% wage increase and an R800 housing allowance following President Jacob Zuma's intervention.

This was an improvement from a 7% wage increase and a R700 housing allowance. Unions are demanding an 8.6% wage increase and R1 000 housing allowance.

Maluleke said government and unions negotiated throughout the night.

He said the unions intended taking the latest offer to members from Tuesday.

Nkosana Dolophi, deputy secretary general of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu), said members will decide later on Tuesday or on Wednesday.

Asked whether the unions recommended the fresh offer, Maluleke said he could not speculate on the outcome of the members' vote.

Cosatu affiliates account for 56% of all civil servants.

At the weekend, Zuma ordered public sector ministers to get back to the negotiating table and find a solution that would bring the strike to an end "as soon as possible".

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