Most Netcare hospitals were not affected by Hospersa-aligned workers' strike on Wednesday, the company said.

"Hospersa is one of four unions represented within Netcare facilities. Nehawu, Denosa and Solidarity, who together represent 56 business units nationally (33 percent of staff) have agreed to an 8.25 percent salary increase," said Netcare human resource director Peter Warrener in a statement.

He denied claims that management had refused to speak to strikers, and said arrangements were made to meet union representatives on Tuesday, but the union failed to respond.

"No patients were affected by the strike."

Health and Other Services Personnel Trade Union of SA's general secretary Noel Desfontaines refuted management's claims the strike had no impact on service delivery.

"We had good support from all provinces except for KwaZulu-Natal. Reports from it said that service was disrupted and KZN and the Free State were affected the most," told Sapa.

He said Hospersa was the majority union, representing 17 percent of staff.

"About 50 percent of the workers at the hospital are not unionised and we hold 17 percent membership, so it is untrue that we are a minority union as the hospital has another three unions."

Desfontaines said Warrener had asked to meet the union on Tuesday, but added: "He was more interested in strike rules than the negotiations... He had no mandate."

The union, representing nurses and administration workers, wanted a 12 percent salary increase while the company was prepared to pay 8.5 percent.

Affected hospitals were the N17 Hospital in Gauteng; St Augustine?s, Parklands, Umhlanga and Alberlito hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal; Kyler and Greenacres hospitals in the Eastern Cape; Ferncrest Hospital in the North West; and Pelenomi and Kroonstad hospitals in the Free State.

Hospersa declared a dispute with Netcare management last week. The strike continues on Thursday.