Two weeks into co-ordinated strike action which has seen one million public sector union workers walk out of hospitals and schools, the South African government has improved its pay offer to 7.5%. Unions have been seeking an increase of 8.6% and it is now for the membership to decide on whether or not to accept the increased offer.

The main train union federation, Cosatu, had already threatened a one day strike for Thursday if their demands of an 8.6% pay rise were not met and have an additional membership of one million who could join any action. Army medics and volunteers are helping to maintain a limited hospital service.

Source: bbc.co.uk/31.08.2010