Director of Support Services at Limavady Borough Council, Eamon McCotter said 35 of 53 union members chose to strike.

The hardest hit service was the blue bin collection, as well as street cleaning and leisure services.

Union leaders say there could be further strike action in the coming months if their demands are not met. Employers, however, say they are not in a position to increase the current 2.45 per cent pay offer.

A handful of workers picketed briefly in Limavady, but Mr. McCotter said there had been no confrontation.

He said: “The two unions have worked together and the union reps have worked together, but there has been no confrontation.

“There were two to three workmen outside the council offices, but thankfully all the staff got into work. Wages and salaries have to be paid this week so it’s important that people come in to get people paid.”

Those on strike had the support of Limavady UUP Colr. Ald. Jack Rankin.

He said: “I regret it had to happen, but if you take the 2.45 per cent in consideration of the lower paid workers, who earn about £10,000, that’s not much of an increase once you pay tax on it. It works out to around roughly £10. That’s nothing compared to the increases we have all seen in food, fuel and electricity. It is very sore on these people and I have every sympathy for them.”

Colr. Rankin said he hoped a satisfactory resolution can be found.

He added: “It’s a difficult situation, but I think six per cent is realistic.”

In Limavady, the civic amenity site on Ballyquin Road was closed, but opened for a short time to allow workers to prepare for a burial yesterday.

The leisure centre was open for limited services with a skeleton staff of four, while Benone Tourist Complex operated with a staff of 12.

Council offices on Connell Street, however, were open as usual.

Mr. McCotter said many of the staff in the council offices are in the NIPSA union, but had met last week and decided not to strike.

He said: “So all the services, the administrative services, have not been affected.”

About a dozen members of the public had called the council to find out about their blue bin collection, which will now take place in a fortnight on July 30-31.