Durban - Thousands
of members of Cosatu-affiliated unions were marching in
Durban on Thursday morning, to demand better pay from the government.
Clad in red Cosatu T-shirts, marchers sang and danced as they slowly
moved from Botha Park to the City Hall, watched by scores of police
officers.
Members of trade federation Cosatu and the Independent
Labour Caucus went on strike this week to demand better wages.
Last week unions rejected the government's revised wage offer of a 7% increase and a R630 housing allowance, as well as a 1.5% fixed pay progression.
Workers wanted an 8.6% wage increase and a R1 000 housing allowance,
backdated to April 1.
Public service and administration spokesperson Dumisani Nkwamba said
unions and the government were scheduled to meet for another round
of wage talks in Pretoria on Thursday evening. The meeting would
take place at the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council in Centurion.
- Sapa