Council workers throughout the province have gone on strike over the issue of a pay offer which is being disputed by five of the biggest unions in the UK.

Library services, refuse collection and even flights have been affected by the one-day show of industrial action, which centred around a 3% pay offer that the unions involved have rejected as inadequate. Workers turned out in force on Wednesday to voice their desire for a 6% pay rise, which would see the lowest paid council worker's salary rise to £11,000 a year.

Rallies were held in Belfast city centre, at Derry's Guildhall and at the Mall in Armagh, as over 1 million workers voted for industrial action. Picket lines were also in place outside libraries and council offices in many other areas.

The strike follows last month's move by local government workers to support a series of one-day stoppages, with today's event being the first of such incidents. This is the first national council workers' strike since the 1979 Winter of Discontent, which severely weakened the Labour Government of the time.

Commenting on the event, Belfast Sinn Fein councillor, Michael Brown said: "Many of these workers already find themselves amongst the lowest paid in our communities. It is not unreasonable to expect that the invaluable contribution made by those who deliver vital services is properly remunerated."

Joe Donaghy of Unison, one of the unions involved in the action, added: "This display of support from trade union members for today's action sends a clear message to the employer." (CL)