"We are preparing for war. Essential services or not, our members will down tools," said National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union second deputy president Mzwandile Makwayiba.
The public services department has offered a 6.5 percent increase across the board for public servants.
Unions are demanding, among other things, an 8.6 percent increase and additional R1000 a month housing allowance.
SA Democratic Teachers' Union general secretary John Maluleke said it was evident that the employer had entered the collective negotiations with an extremely narrow mandate.
"The plight of our members is desperate and we are left with no other option, but to consider the most severe option left to us, which is strike action," said Maluleke.
He said some unions had begun balloting their membership in this regard.
Maluleke warned that failure to find an amicable solution in the next few days would have serious consequences for public services.
He said the unions remained open to discussion with the government.
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