As the South African public workers strike reached its ninth day, protests were scheduled in over 20 cities. The unions have said that they will not back down until their demands are met, and are calling on their affiliates, including in mining and manufacturing, to join the strike. The main police union came out for the strike, but the police force got an injunction barring officers from joining the strike. The government says that they unions are not helping anyone by trying to shut down the economy, and that they should resume talks with the government. The unions are asking for a 8.6% pay increase and are determined to get it.
See "South African workers hold mass protests over pay", Fanuel Jongwe, August 25, 2010