South Africa faces the prospect of being brought to a grinding halt on June 1, when public sector workers are set to begin a nationwide strike in support of their wage demands.
Battle lines were drawn on Friday when Cosatu, which represents more than 600 000 public service workers, was joined by 11 independent unions.
By throwing their weight behind Cosatu's 1-million members in the public service, the heat has been turned up on the government.
The looming indefinite strike, which is shaping up to be the biggest in SA in over a decade, comes in the wake of a 12 percent wage increase demand by public service personnel, with the government offering 6 percent, plus an increase in housing and medical aid allowances.
The decision to delay the strike by three days appears to be to allow Cosatu and the independent unions more time to co-ordinate their actions. It will be the first time that they will be acting in unison.
Dave Balt, president of the National Professional Teachers' Organisation of SA, criticised Public Service and Administration Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi's view that the government's offer was actually more than 6 percent.
"The statements by the minister are demeaning as they imply that, as the leadership, we don't understand what the workers want, and that is unfortunate," said Balt.
He said the unions were still discussing the issue of essential services, and they would have a clear way forward by Monday.
Thulas Nxesi, general secretary of the South African Democratic Teachers' Union (Sadtu), said that once the strike began, "there would be no teaching whatsoever, and our members are very clear about that".
"We are going out to war, and people have become very impatient. It was never our intention to down tools, and we have shown that by sitting with the government for eight months negotiating for a better settlement," said Nxesi.
He said it was surprising that the government was now talking about an open-door policy.
"What open door are they talking about when for eight months they have failed to come up with a resolution?" he asked.
Tracy Sage, spokesperson for the South African Medical Association, said her organisation "fully supported" the 12 percent wage increase demand, but at the same time recognised that essential services and patient care must not be compromised.
Meanwhile, Manelisi Wolela, spokesperson for the department of correctional services, said they did not expect their members to go on strike because "we are an essential-services department and our members are prohibited from withdrawal of labour".
Wolela reminded union members wanting to strike about the 127 Modderbee Prison workers who lost their jobs three years ago.
"It would be illegal for any of our members to leave offenders alone, and they have been reminded of the incident at Modderbee," he said.
His sentiments were echoed by Zolile Nkqayi, spokesperson for the department of justice, who said he did not expect any of their members to down tools.
Duncan Hindle, director-general of the department of education, said they could not stop teachers from going on strike, but added: "Not every teacher is a member of Sadtu, and there will be teaching in most of our schools."
He said they still hoped a resolution would be reached before May 28.
"If by that time there is no resolution, our main concern would be the security of our non-striking teachers and of pupils, and we are making provision for their safety and security," said Hindle.
Mantshele wa ga Tau, spokesperson for the department of home affairs, said they were still optimistic that the government and its employees would find a resolution before the strike began.
"We will have systems in place and the public will not be affected by the upcoming strike, but we still hope that a resolution can be reached soon," he said.