The workers are expected to march in Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth, George, Cape Town, and East London, according to Numsa.
The employers have tabled a three-year wage settlement offer of between 7% and 8% for different levels of workers in the first year and CPI-linked increases for 2015 and 2016.
However, the union has rejected the offer, as they are demanding 12%.
According to economists, the strike is a major setback for the economy as it recovers from a five-month long strike in the platinum mining sector.
SAnews.gov.za is a South African government news service, published by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS). SAnews.gov.za (formerly BuaNews) was established to provide quick and easy access to articles and feature stories aimed at keeping the public informed about the implementation of government mandates.
Go to: http://www.sanews.gov.za