South African Workers March After Rejecting Offer

South African Workers March After Rejecting Offer

Striking South African state workers are planning a protest march after rejecting a revised wage offer aimed at ending their three-week strike.

The majority of unions, most of which are in the largest labour federation COSATU, voted against the offer on Wednesday, prolonging a strike by more than one million state workers that a prominent economist said was costing about 150 million dollars a day.

Union and government still negotiating

COSATU Secretary General, Zwelinzima Vavi told newsmen that leaders of the unions will hold a formal bargaining session with government officials on Thursday. He said he hoped that the discussion would proffer solution to the situation.

Government officials are hoping the unions can persuade rank-and-file members to reconsider the latest offer.

The government, which offered workers a seven point five percent pay raise and 800 rand a month for housing, said it cannot afford to improve on its offer.

The unions have been demanding a rise of eight point six percent and 1,000 rand for housing.

A senior union official, however, said new response would not come until Monday.

The strike has shut schools and dampened investor sentiment for Africa's biggest economy.

REUTERS/Williams/Yinka