Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. South African Unions Reject Government Wage Offer VOA News 17 August 2010 A worker holds a poster during a march, at the Union Building in Pretoria, South Africa, 10 Aug 2010 Photo: AP A worker holds a poster during a march, at the Union Building in Pretoria, South Africa, 10 Aug 2010 South African public service workers have rejected the government's latest pay offer and say they will begin an indefinite strike on Wednesday. A prolonged strike could have wide-reaching effects across South Africa. The coalition of unions represents 1.3 million workers, including teachers, health workers, police, and other civil servants.  The unions are demanding a 8.6 percent pay raise, more than twice the rate of inflation, in addition to a higher housing allowance. Following talks last Thursday, the government increased its housing allowance offer from $87 to $95 per month. But officials held their pay raise offer to 7 percent. One week ago, civil service workers staged a one-day strike and held marches in Cape Town and Pretoria. Officials say the strike affected schools and public offices, although essential services such as police and hospitals continued to run on reduced staffing. Three years ago, public workers staged a crippling strike that shut down many schools and forced some hospitals to operate with minimal staff for several weeks. Some information for this report was provided by Reuters. .