Plucky strike

Most had gone through their usual ritual of putting their black bin bags in front of their house, seemingly unaware that virtually all collections were going to fall victim to the one-day strike.

They included househusband Peter Clack, 32, of Ashford Road, who admitted it was an inconvenience but said he felt happy to support those taking action.

He said: "I don't think council employees get paid enough so I back the action.

"One-day strikes don't cause that much damage and so long as not too many people are inconvenienced I'm happy to lend my support."

Retired Cynthia Combs, 77, of nearby Lansdown Road, was also among those having to bring their bin bags back in.

She said: "I support the council workers they've got to strike if they don't think they are getting a fair deal.

"Like a lot of people it's difficult with the price of property in Swindon being so high."

Memis Dogus, 41, who runs the shop on the corner of Hythe Road and Lansdown Road, said: "I think the strike is a great idea and I'm supportive of the workers. If they don't think they are getting paid enough they should walk out on strike."

More than 2,000 workers across Swindon were part of 1.2 million across the county taking part in the biggest national strike for 20 years.

It was organised by three public service unions Unison, GMB and T&GWU after the Government turned down their claim for a six per cent or £1,750 pay rise for all local authority workers. The unions rejected a three per cent offer and are holding out for the six per cent rise to bring the minimum wage in local government to £11,170 a year.

Picket lines were set up as early as 4am as services normally provided by the borough council were either withdrawn or reduced.

Dustmen and other Swindon Services staff who would have started their daily rounds gathered to form a picket line at Barnfield tip.

The scene was repeated at dozens of other council sites across the borough, including the Oasis Centre, Civic Offices in Euclid Street, Premier House in Station Road and Hreod Parkway School in Moredon.

Brimble Hill Special School closed for the day and many others closed early because of a lack of supervisory staff.

Spring Gardens and Brunel North multi-storey car parks closed for the day, as did Wroughton park and ride.

Swindon Museum and Art Gallery in Bath Road, West Swindon Library, Lydiard House, the Safer Swindon Shop and other council offices, except the Civic Offices, all shut up shop.

While the Link Centre in West Swindon remained one of the few council-run leisure amenities to remain open on a skeleton staff, mother-of-two Wendy Humphries, 28, was among a small picket line outside.

The gym instructor said: "I'm here to support the rest of the workers who have gone on strike. We don't get paid enough, that's why we are here. We've not been disruptive or noisy and people who have walked over the picket to get to the centre have generally been very supportive hopefully this will make a difference."

Link Centre duty officer Rob Ferguson, 29, who is paid a salary of around £21,000, was also manning the picket.

He said: "The offer of a three per cent pay rise when house prices and the cost of living in the area are so ridiculous is a disgrace."

At West Swindon Library, some bemused people arrived to return their books only to find it shut.

Mature student Christine O'Connor, 41, of Worsley Road, Freshbrook, said: "I've been inconvenienced by the fact that I can't return my library books and DVDs. There's no deposit box so I've got to come back another day I hope I don't get fined."

Principal library manager Kristianne Drake, who was outside the Link Library demonstrating with colleagues, said: "A three per cent pay rise for a single parent who already pays an extortionate amount of rent is an outrageous offer.

"Our wages are not being kept in line with inflation. I could never afford to buy a property in Swindon on what I earn."

The Civic Amenity site in Barnfield Road remained open thanks to the three staff who turned up for work as usual.

Site manager George Walker, 43, said: "We have been open for business as usual because of the staff who wanted to come to work."

Site licence holder Steve Tovey, 42, said: "I couldn't afford to take a day off work. Besides, I don't think the strike has been as successful as Unison wanted it to be.

"I've got a mortgage to pay, car to tax and a family to support and I don't think the workers will ever get their six per cent pay rise in any case.

Royal Mail manager Annette Mills, 35, of Ermin Street, Stratton St Margaret, was unloading bags of rubbish from her car.

She said: "I'm not that impressed that council workers have decided to strike for a day because it's caused hardship to a lot of people across the borough.

"I think the people who turned up for work as usual deserve the pay rise.

"But there are always two sides to every story. Many can't afford to buy a house in Swindon and I can see why they might want more money."