This came after the SA Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu) and Johannesburg Metrobus struck a deal after 24 hours of negotiations, Mokonyane told a media briefing at her office in Johannesburg.

"We have committed ourselves to forging a closer working relationship with municipalities... and we were concerned about the impact that the strike was having on commuters," Mokonyane said.

She said commuters were suffering after having to shell out more money for their transport during the strike.

She said the deal was not reached because Metrobus had been given a bail-out, but from the balancing of the bus company's books.

The settlement amounted to R5.5-million and would eventually go up to R8.9-million.

The exact salary figures were not yet available.

Meanwhile, a planned secondary strike on Thursday in support of Metrobus workers was called off as was a planned Labour Court application to stop the strike.

Samwu spokesperson Dumisani Langa said Metrobus drivers and union members were happy with the deal and would now be in a position to move up within the ranks.