Public sector trade unions and government representatives will again meet on Tuesday to chart a way forward in wage negotiations.
Workers in the Public Servants Association are demanding a 7% increase.
The employer has rejected other demands including risk allowance and housing subsidy increases.
Manager for the Public Servants Association in KwaZulu-Natal, Mlungisi Ndlovu, says if the employer is not willing to listen to the workers, then they will have no choice but to strike.
“The government has asked to meet us at 13h00 today. We are very clear, if the government comes with 0%, we are going to declare the dispute in terms of the Constitution of the Bargaining council. If government continues with their arrogance, we are prepared to go to the streets.”
Looming strike
The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) says government must shoulder the blame for the looming nationwide strike in the public sector.
This came after wage negotiations between the public sector unions and government deadlocked last month.
Saftu General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi has accused government of humiliating public sector unions.
Unions demand a 7% salary increase:
