African strikers reject offer

Work stoppage continues:

S AFRICA: The South African public sector strike was set to continue after the country's main labour federation Wednesday rejected a revised Government offer.

"We got a report from unions and the overwhelming majority of provincial structures have rejected the Government's offer, the strike continues," Cosatu general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi told AFP.

However the Independent Labour Caucus, one of the labour umbrellas representing the 1.3 million workers was still divided on the offer.

Chris Klopper, Chairman of the ILC said his organisation was "still in the process of collecting feedback from its members on the government's wage offer. "Were not in a position at this stage to pronounce our stance.

At this stage its a 50-50... we will know by Friday what the stance is," said Klopper.

Unions tabled the improved offer to their members after President Jacob Zuma ordered his ministers to negotiate a solution to the 15-day stoppage that has paralysed schools and hospitals.

"Unions will meet tomorrow morning (Thursday) to further discuss and assess where we are,"said Vavi.

Johannesburg, Thursday, AFP