A South African official was set to meet union leaders in an effort to avert a strike by 900,000 public service workers.
The workers, represented by a coalition of unions, are seeking an increase to the government's offer of a 6.5 percent pay hike.
One union, the 210,000 member Public Servants Association, says its workers could go on strike Thursday. The other workers have threatened to walk off their jobs next week.
Public Service and Administration Minister Richard Baloyi has called for any strikes to be delayed until he is able to meet with union leaders Thursday.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
