The two day strike will affect departments such as social services, refuge and highways as well as schools in the area, with both teaching assistants and administrators involved. Arrangements have been put in place in case of an emergency.

The strike action follows the announcement that local government workers have been offered a pay rise of 2.45 per cent, a figure well below the current inflation rate of 4.3 per cent.

In a situation where mortgages are up by eight per cent, petrol is up by 22 per cent, fuel is up by 15 per cent and Welsh assembly members have given themselves an inflation busting pay-rise of 8.3 per cent, UNISON and UNITE union members are asking for a six per cent pay rise, or 50p an hour depending on which is greater.

A spokesperson for the Powys branch of UNISON, said: "Employers say that can't afford it even though they have £11,605 billion sitting snugly in the bank (and that excludes school reserves).

"We keep talking about 'local government workers' – these are home carers, cleaners, refuse collectors, school diner ladies, teaching assistants. They are your next door neighbours - people we cannot do without.

"We are not talking about high wage earners - on the bottom rate they earn only £11,577 - that's £12,423 less than the average salary of £24,000 p.a. At £6 an hour that is lower than any other group of public sector workers. The bottom rate for workers in higher education is £6.63, probation is £6.84, police support staff is £6.29 and the NHS is £6.40."

The two day strike will be followed by further action unless the employers are prepared to come back to the negotiating table.