Public Service Minister Richard Baloyi said that he hoped to never see a repeat of this year's public service strike and that unions would sign an agreement to end the pay dispute.

"We are hopeful that the majority, if not all of the unions, will sign their offer," Baloyi told representatives at an African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) workshop in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

"I am sure they are getting their pens ready."

He said that it was critical to manage future negotiations so that the strike of 2010 was avoided.

"It affects all of us," he said on the last day that unions had to decide whether to reject or accept the government's offer which includes a 7, 5% wage increase and an R800 housing allowance.

Unions were hoping for 8,6% and R1 000 as part of their demands.

For about three weeks during the strike, many schools ground to a halt with matric exams looming, and the military had to be deployed to hospitals and health facilities after some strikers blocked entrances.

Police had to fire rubber bullets on several occasions and in Johannesburg, all the babies at Natalspruit Hospital had to be rushed to a private facility after nurses abandoned their posts.

Speaking during a break in the APRM workshop, he said that strikes were challenges that leaders in a democracy were confronted with and they had an impact on good governance.

"Good governance in a democracy suggests that there has to mechanisms in place... to facilitate amicable and democratic resolutions."

On subjects as emotive as salaries it should be possible to address them without getting to the point of serious confrontation.

"It is the right of unions to mobilise their workers to engage in a collective bargaining process. Strike action is a right which we have to respect as government.

"[But] you don't pursue your rights as if you are the only person or group of people who have rights."

He said the public service strike was different because it affected the whole community, and so this required introspection by everyone.

He said a pronouncement would only be made "at the close of day" on whether the latest offer was accepted.

But, he remained upbeat, saying: "We are looking forward to getting a majority signature."