Breakthrough in South African public services strike?‏

After 13 days on strike, over one million striking South African public servants will vote today on a revised Government offer. Reuters reports that the government ‘increased its offer to 7.5 percent from 7 percent - compared to the union demand for 8.6 percent’. As well as the proposed wage increase, the government raised its offer for a monthly housing allowance to 800 rand. Unions have been demanding 1,000 rand. http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE67U05Y20100831

The breakthrough in the dispute came after an intervention by President Jacob Zuma who met ministers over the weekend to urge a speedy end to the dispute. Patrick Craven of COSATU said: “It’s precisely what we’ve been calling for. The government could have moved more quickly to re-open negotiations, but this shows new initiative.”
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