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Pretoria - The South African Revenue Service (Sars) has finished negotiating and is now going to implement the 9% to 11% offered to non-union members.
Sars has also threatened disciplinary action against strikers who intimidate taxpayers and non-striking staff members, and who damage property.
Trade union Nehawu, which represents almost 6 000 of Sars' total workforce of around 15 000, says it rejects the offer.
Its strike will continue.
The Public Servants Association (PSA) ordered its members in writing to return to work.
This union has not yet indicated whether it accepts or rejects the offer and will announce this during a planned meeting at the National Bargaining Council.
Sars spokesperson Adrian Lackay says there have been cases of intimidation at its offices in Cape Town, Soweto, Mthatha and again at the Lebombo border post and Durban harbour. He says Sars is examining video material of incidents of violence and intimidation.
On Tuesday 80% of the staff was at work.
Sizwe Pamla from Nehawu says if there are any people in government service who deserve a decent increase, then these are the Sars personnel. While the rest of the public service receives average increases of 11.5%, Sars personnel have to stand back in line for increases.
This is while Sars workers exceed the targets set for them year after year. Pamla says it is also only the lowest level that will receive an 11% increase in terms of the new offer.
The rest will all get less.
He insists the union is fully aware that the recession has significantly increased the burden on the state.
But, he says, government is testing the people's patience. "We stand by our demand for an increase of 12.8% for all workers."
Sars has issued a statement saying that it regards its offer as fair and final. The increase will be awarded to all non-union members from September 11, retrospective to July 1.
The revenue office also reserves the right to appoint temporary staff when backlogs occur.
The submission period for individuals and trusts' tax returns expires on September 18 (for traditional submission) and November 20 (for electronic submission).
According to Sars it will be in a position to extend the required support even if there is an extended strike.
The "no work, no pay" rule applies, Lackay added.
- Sake24.com
For more business news in Afrikaans, go to Sake24.com.