Johannesburg — PUBLIC sector unions suspended their strike yesterday, but threatened more action if their original demands are not met.

The three-week-long strike was called off pending the outcome of negotiations that resumed yesterday and will run for 21 days.

Union officials said the suspension of the strike did not equate to acceptance of the offer of a 7,5% wage increase and R800 housing allowance. "It doesn't mean that now that we're negotiating, we're accepting the offer," said Thobile Ntola, president of the South African Democratic Teachers Union.

Public servants are expected to resume normal operations today, bringing relief to public schools and hospitals, which have been the worst affected. Matric preliminary exams in several provinces were postponed. Some schools were disrupted by unruly strikers.

Mr Ntola denied that the suspension was due to political pressure after President Jacob Zuma last week called for greater effort in resolving the impasse. "There has not been any political pressure; we've been negotiating as workers," he said.

The government welcomed the suspension of the strike. "We urge those who are returning to the workplace to ensure that we deliver the services that are so sorely needed by all communities across our country," Public Service and Administration Minister Richard Baloyi said.

The unions are holding out for an 8,6% salary increase and a R1000 housing allowance.

Chris Klopper, the chairman of the Independent Labour Caucus, which represents some of the smaller unions, said the strike has run its full course. "A strike reaches its logical point and we think that logical point has been reached," he said.

Labour analyst Tony Healy said the unions' decision to suspend the strike indicates they are "feeling the economic pinch" after not being paid for last month. It might also indicate that unions are disagreeing among themselves, he said.

"If you listen to the Independent Labour Caucus, you'll see that they would have rejected the 7,5% offer if they had been offered it earlier in the bargaining process," he said.

The state has said it can ill afford the revised offer and will not fill posts to save on costs.