FACTBOX-A look at South Africa's 'strike season'

Sept 5 (Reuters) - About 1.3 million South African public sector workers, on strike for nearly a month, may soon return to work but continue talks on whether to accept an increased government wage offer. [ID:nLDE6850CD]

The following is look at some of the labour actions in the annual mid-year period of labour unrest known as "strike season", which was highlighted this year by threats to halt crucial public services during South Africa's June-to-July hosting of the soccer World Cup:

* One of the most costly strikes was a three-week rail and port walkout at the state logistics group Transnet in May that cost the economy about $1 billion in lost production and sales. Unions said they won an 11 percent pay increase.

* The biggest strike in terms of man-days lost has been the strike by about 1.3 million state workers that started on Aug. 18 and has shut schools, caused chaos at hospitals and led to bodies piling up at morgues.

The strike has indirectly cost the economy about $150 million a day, according to the estimates of one economist.

The government offered a 7.5 percent wage increase and 800 rand ($108) a month for housing. Unions want 8.6 percent and 1,000 rand.

The eventual hit to the budget could be just as damaging. The government has said its offer would cost about 6.5 billion rand more than budgeted. That estimate might be a bit low and the actual figure could be more than double that.

* About 70,000 workers at petrol stations, garages and auto dealerships are still on strike after walking off the job on Wednesday, seeking 20 percent wage increases. [ID:nWEA6290]

* South Africa's largest trade union, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), said that more than 8,000 workers seeking 15 percent pay increases at Northam Platinum (NHMJ.J) began a work stoppage on Monday. Workers at one of the country's smaller platinum mines rejected the company's 8 percent wage offer. [ID:nLDE68503R]

* Workers who comprise the bulk of the workforce at state power utility Eskom [ESCJ.UL] in June won a 9 percent wage increase and a 1,500 rand housing allowance after threatening a strike that could have cut electricity during the World Cup.

* About 30,000 autoworkers, seeking a 15 percent wage hike, went on strike in August, dealing a blow to production in the Africa's biggest car making state. They accepted a three-year deal, with workers receiving a 10 percent increase this year, and 9 percent a year in the next two years. [ID:nLDE67J0M9]

* Richards Bay Minerals (RBM), a Rio Tinto (RIO.L) and BHP Billiton (BLT.L) joint venture, last week reached a wage deal to end a week-long strike. RBM says it agreed to an 8 percent pay rise with the NUM for 2010 and a 7 percent increase each for 2011 and 2012. [ID:nLDE68110J] (Reporting by Jon Herskovitz and Peroshni Govender; Editing by Giles Elgood)