And Eric Barclay, of Unite (TGWU), warned that further industrial action was already planned if an agreement couldn't be reached.

Schools and refuse collections were hardest hit as an estimated 500 workers in the Borders walked out on strike on Wednesday.

Staff at the recycling centre at Mansfield Road took to the picket line in protest over the government's 2.5 per cent pay offer over three years.

They were joined in their opposition by support staff from Burnfoot, Newcastleton, Stirches, Trinity and Wilton Primary Schools and Hawick High School, forcing their closure, although the Stirches nursery class remained open.

School buses, school dinners and meals on wheels were also hit.
And, while everything returned to normal yesterday, Mr Barclay vowed that action would continue for as long as their requests were ignored.

He said: "If anything staff are stronger now. Two-and-a-half percent over the next three years is a derisory offer given the state of the economy today. There's no way any right minded person would get tied into that at the moment.

"The council have said that it's their final offer, but I hope the strike action gets the employers back round the table so we can negotiate something more realistic.

"If they don't then I think that sends a clear message out to our members that the council doesn't care.

"Our members don't like this. They don't like going out on strike because we serve the public. But there's an overwhelming feeling that if we don't make a stand now then we're going to see our pay erode even further."

Staff had initially asked for either a five per cent rise or a one-off payment of £1000 although this was knocked back. Instead they have been offered what would equate to an overall pay rise of just 46p per hour at the end of the proposed three-year deal.

Speaking from the Mansfield Road picket line, council worker Jim Taylor said they would fight until the end for a fair wage.

"What they are offering is ridiculous," he said.

"We'll keep this going for as long as is necessary. We feel bad that the public are having to suffer, but in the long-term we're the ones who are going to be suffering. This is a last resort."

Despite the solidarity shown in Hawick, collections carried on as normal in Galashiels and Selkirk,

Local GMB representative John Farres hoped the matter could be resolved as soon as possible.

He added: "Obviously the GMB are supporting the strike because we feel a three-year deal will have a negative impact on the living standards of members.

"Hopefully the employers will see reason and get round the table."