Conciliation was set for the 18 June 2010, but on 29 June, the arbitrator issued a certificate that confirmed the dispute as unresolved. The PSA and COSATU embarked on protest actions from 29 - 30 July and 10 August, respectively. A full-blown strike was declared on the 16 August and lasted for three weeks. The strike was suspended on the 09 September 2010.