SA Democratic Teacher's Union (Sadtu) members on Thursday threatened to embark on a "huge march" should government fail to give them positive feedback about salary deductions by 29 October.

"We will declare an official strike action if there is no positive response till then," said regional secretary Ronald Nyathi at a meeting in Soweto, Johannesburg about teachers' salary deductions.

Nyathi described the deductions, which were part of a no-work no-pay agreement made during the 2007 strike, as "inappropriate".

"We want our monies back... it's bad timing for these deductions."

Dozens of members, some wearing red Sadtu T-shirts, filled the Orlando Community Hall singing and dancing to liberation songs, while a few police members stood watching.

Teachers came out in numbers, many struggling to find parking, and echoes of their singing could be heard from afar.

The meeting took place despite a warning from the Gauteng department of education that police would break it up as it was unauthorised.

Nyathi said according to an initial agreement the deductions would be made over six months.

However, he said the process had dragged on for longer than was bargained for and deductions from some members had been incorrect.

The union said this was "administrative failure" by the department.

The education department earlier said it held discussions with Sadtu's provincial secretary, Tseliso Ledimo, on Wednesday to address some of the union's grievances.

"The GDE [Gauteng department of education] has committed to extending the due date for appeals in relation to employees whose salaries were deducted, despite being at work during the 2007 strike, and those who want to make a representation for their leave deductions to be done over more than six months, to the end of November 2009."

Teachers said the deductions meant they would spend the coming holidays without a cent in their pockets.

"It is discouraging them in conducting their obligations at school," said Nyathi

Education MEC Barbara Creecy described the meeting as "most inappropriate" and said it was in breach of an interdict against the union.

Members dispersed peacefully at 2pm, some walking slowly toward their cars while others left in awaiting taxis.

"As promised the meeting went peacefully. We are a reputable trade union. There were only six police vans here...

"They (the police) became discouraged and some of them left," said Nyathi.

Teachers have given their representatives the go-ahead to negotiate further with the MEC, while they intend to embark on a go-slow on Monday.

Sapa

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