The strike by people working for the FNV trade union federation has ended after the staff union and the FNV itself reached agreement on a new pay rise.

The deal, which will be introduced in increments, will give workers on average 12% more pay plus guarantees on compensation for inflation. The pay and conditions deal covers three years.

The union had originally offered staff around 10%.

The agreement, which covers 1,650 people, still has to be put to the vote. Staff union spokeswoman Judith Westhoek said the result booked shows ‘once again’ that going on strike works.

Meanwhile, union chief Tuur Elzinga has said the FNV will only moderate its pay demands for members when prices stop rising so much.

Last weekend, central bank president Klaas Knot warned that if unions call for salary increases above 5% to 7%, there is a risk that inflation will rise again and there could be a wage price spiral.

The union has been calling for rises of over 10% in some cases to offset the impact of inflation, particularly on food prices.