Unions representing more than 1 million South African state workers said today they have rejected a revised government wage hike offer and will strike tomorrow
"From tomorrow there will be a total shutdown and the beginning of a protracted strike and we will only stop when government responds," said Thobile Ntola, president of the SADTU teachers union, a part of the labour coalition.
The strike threat by unions in the country's largest umbrella labour group COSATU increases pressure on the government to improve its terms or risk what could be the worst strike by state workers for three years.
Analysts, however, expect a deal to be reached before a coalition of unions - representing 1,3 million civil servants including police, customs officials, teachers and health workers - stages a prolonged stoppage.
Meanwhile, teachers have been warned that if they resort to violence during the current public servants' pay dispute could find themselves struck off the roll and not able to work any more.
The SA Council of Educators (Sace) said: "In an extreme case such a teacher can be struck off the roll and the teacher will never be able to teach again unless the council allows it".
The warning, issued by Rej Brijraj, chief executive officer of the body which registers teachers, came in response to reports of disruptions at some schools, particularly in the Vaal area, south of Johannesburg and in Durban.
Police were not able to confirm the reports, but www.News24.com reported that groups of people, presumed to be teachers, entered classrooms, tore up test papers, slapped a teacher and broke windows as unions finalised their consultations with members over government's latest pay offer.
The government stayed with its 7% increase offer, but added R70 on to the previous housing allowance offer of R630, taking it up to R700.
The public sector teaching corps totals around 400,000 registered teachers.
The Federation of Governing Bodies of SA Schools (Fedsas) said their immediate concern was the impact on matric pupils who are facing their finals in 80 days.
Public sector rejects wage deal, plans strike
Unions representing more than 1 million South African state workers said today they have rejected a revised government wage hike offer and will strike tomorrow
"From tomorrow there will be a total shutdown and the beginning of a protracted strike and we will only stop when government responds," said Thobile Ntola, president of the SADTU teachers union, a part of the labour coalition.
The strike threat by unions in the country's largest umbrella labour group COSATU increases pressure on the government to improve its terms or risk what could be the worst strike by state workers for three years.
Analysts, however, expect a deal to be reached before a coalition of unions - representing 1,3 million civil servants including police, customs officials, teachers and health workers - stages a prolonged stoppage.
Meanwhile, teachers have been warned that if they resort to violence during the current public servants' pay dispute could find themselves struck off the roll and not able to work any more.
The SA Council of Educators (Sace) said: "In an extreme case such a teacher can be struck off the roll and the teacher will never be able to teach again unless the council allows it".
The warning, issued by Rej Brijraj, chief executive officer of the body which registers teachers, came in response to reports of disruptions at some schools, particularly in the Vaal area, south of Johannesburg and in Durban.
Police were not able to confirm the reports, but www.News24.com reported that groups of people, presumed to be teachers, entered classrooms, tore up test papers, slapped a teacher and broke windows as unions finalised their consultations with members over government's latest pay offer.
The government stayed with its 7% increase offer, but added R70 on to the previous housing allowance offer of R630, taking it up to R700.
The public sector teaching corps totals around 400,000 registered teachers.
The Federation of Governing Bodies of SA Schools (Fedsas) said their immediate concern was the impact on matric pupils who are facing their finals in 80 days.
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