SOUTH Africa’s Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (SACTWU) issued an ultimatum to clothing employers today to settle a pay deal or face strike action by 80,000 workers.

The union had submitted wage demands on March 20 and the first round of negotiations was held in mid April.

Since then, there have been three further sets of two-day talks, plus three conciliation meetings and numerous bilateral discussions.

But the union warned yesterday that it “cannot negotiate forever. Wage increases are due on September 1.”

The employers’ final offer was 7 per cent and the union is demanding a 9 per cent increase, which it calls reasonable and affordable.

SACTWU has called for a meeting with employers in Cape Town today, in a last-gasp attempt to secure a deal.

SACTWU general secretary Andre Kriel warned that should discussions fail he intends to call a national strike ballot.