The Department of Basic Education threatened to dock salaries of striking teachers when they are paid on September 15 and 25.

Teacher unions said their members feared that they would not be paid. The National Teachers Union (Natu) yesterday confirmed that teachers' salaries would not be docked this month.

Natu deputy president Allen Thompson yesterday poured cold water on these fears saying the department needed an agreement with the unions about the implementation of the no work, no pay rule on teachers who were on strike.

The strike was suspended on Monday after unions decided to go back to work. The three-week- strike was put on hold while unions negotiate for a better offer with the employer.

"Part of the reasons why the strike was suspended was to reopen negotiations with the employer on issues of the no work, no pay, medical aid employer contribution, and awarding of government subsidies to both of married couples working for the government," Thompson said.

He said they are pushing to get the government not to implement the no-work, no-pay rule at all and propose that instead teachers commit themselves to implementing a strict and dedicated catch-up plan.

South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) spokesperson Nomusa Cembi confirmed the issue of no work, no pay issue was still under discussionbetween the employer and unions.

"Teachers salaries may not be docked while discussions are still under way, at least the docking of salaries will not happen this month, " he said.

Education spokesperson Granville Whittle said: "It might be carried out in a once-off deduction or be done in instalments, but all that will be decided in the talks that unions are having with the employer."