Catherwood LibraryILR School

After 20 days, South African unions have suspended a strike which shut down hospitals and schools. Last week the striking workers rejected the latest government pay deal, but the umbrella labor federation Cosatu said that they are willing to reconsider the offer as workers return to jobs. Unions had asked for a 8.5% pay increase and a 1000 rand housing allowance, both of which the government said they could not afford. Analysts said that the longer the strike dragged on, and the more services that were shut down, the less public support the workers would have. President Zuma, who was elected with the support of the unions ordered his government to find an end to the strike last week.