20100907
africanews

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Hundreds of thousands of South African state workers returned to their jobs on Tuesday after suspending a three-week strike which hit schools and hospitals.

Officials from the 19 unions representing state workers gave themselves 21 days to finalise a draft agreement with their members that could end the conflict altogether.

Around 1.3 million workers had taken part in the strike which disrupted public services across Africa's biggest economy.

"The majority of our members have returned to work," said Manie de Clercq, spokesman for the 211,000-strong Public Service Association.

Nomusa Cembi, a spokeswoman for the South African Democratic Teachers' Union which has 245,000 members, said schools were expected to operate normally from Wednesday.

Strikers had demanded a pay rise of 8.6 percent, more than double the inflation rate, and a 1,000 rand a month housing allowance. President Jacob Zuma's government raised its initial offer to 7.5 percent and 800 rand for housing.

The latest offer was rejected by rank-and-file workers last week but the union leadership suspended the strike anyway to give time to explain the offer to their members.