Public Service and Administration Minister Richard Baloyi and unions representing public servants were meeting on Thursday afternoon, a spokesman said.

Baloyi requested the talks in a bid to end a strike started by the Public Servants' Association (PSA) on Thursday, and avert the planned action by unions affiliated to the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu), his spokesperson Dumisani Nkwamba said in a telephonic interview.

The meeting, also attended by Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga and Social Development Minister Edna Molewa, started with Cosatu unions "early in the morning", with the PSA joining in the afternoon.

"The ministers are trying to convince the unions to accept a revised offer which is expected to be formally tabled tonight (Thursday) at the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council," said Nkwamba.

The meeting was still on by 4.30pm.

"We can only make the new offer public after it has been tabled in the bargaining council."

Public servants wanted an 8.6% salary increase and a housing subsidy of R1 000 effective from April 1. The government's latest offer was a 6.5% salary increase and R620 housing subsidy with effect from July 1.

  - Sapa