Parliament's operations are proceeding as normal despite lunch-time picketing by staff - now in its fourth day - the institution said on Wednesday.

Parliament tabled its salary offer to staff on Tuesday during salary negotiations between management and the recognised trade union, the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu), Parliament said in a statement.

These negotiations were not part of the salary negotiations between the government and public service trade unions, over which public service employees embarked on a strike.

Parliament's offer comprised two options.

Option one proposed a 7% salary increase across the board, effective from April 1.

Option two proposed a three-year package made up of an 8,5% salary increase across the board, effective from April 1 for this financial year and, for the next two years, increases of 1% than the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the end of March 2011 and 2012, or the National Treasury indicative figure, whichever was higher.

If CPI was less than 4% or more than 9%, negotiations would be reopened.

If CPI was between 4% and 9%, salaries would be adjusted in terms of the CPI of March of the relevant year, plus 1%.

Nehawu had not yet accepted either of the options.

The Labour Relations Act designates Parliament as an essential service whose employees cannot go on strike.

If a deadlock is reached in negotiations, the parties must submit to arbitration.

"As a key institution promoting democracy, Parliament does not bar its staff from embarking on protest action, provided the protest action does not disturb the work of the institution," it said.

Permission for protest action within the parliamentary precinct had to be obtained from the Secretary to Parliament and had to be sanctioned by Parliament's presiding officers.

The rules regulating protest action within the parliamentary precinct were distributed to all staff on August 20.

Staff had been picketing outside working hours and Parliament's operations were proceeding as normal without hindrance, it said.