Johannesburg — THE Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) will meet government ministers on the sidelines of the Cabinet lekgotla tomorrow to try resolve an impasse over pay in the public service.

Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said yesterday that the federation was sanguine that a solution would be found following the government's failure to properly implement an occupational specific dispensation (OSD) agreement signed in 2007.

"They know what the problems are and they know it is not of their making. I am quite confident we will find each other," he told Business Day.

Vavi will lead a delegation made up of Cosatu's national office-bearers as well as representatives from public sector unions.

The swift interaction between the unions and President Jacob Zuma 's administration is a fresh approach to relations between labour and government. In 2007, public servants embarked on a month-long strike after former public service and administration minister Geraldine Fraser- Moleketi dug in her heels on wage increases and pay structures.

Unless a deal is struck, the new government could already find itself at loggerheads with the country's largest trade union federation, a move that could hamper Zuma from making good on his election promises.

Already Cosatu has threatened "uncontrollable" strikes if the OSD matter is not resolved.

Doctors at public hospitals have downed tools over salaries, with employees at prisons threatening similar action. The South African Municipal Workers' Union is already on strike and has warned that the action could spill over into other areas, crippling services in Johannesburg.

The Cosatu delegation is expected to meet nine ministers, including the two education ministers and the ministers of finance, correctional services, police and health.

Public Service and Administration Minister Richard Baloyi is likely to co- ordinate the meeting.

Vavi said delegates at the meeting would also "share" information regarding the formation of the new ministries as well as on the fate of several state-owned enterprises.

Cosatu has been vocal in its opposition to the privatisation of state- owned enterprises, warning that this would lead to job losses.

In an effort to avert further confrontation, the African National Congress issued a statement yesterday saying it was confident that labour disputes would be resolved in bargaining chambers.