By Melissa Jackson BBC News Online

Local authority employers say if striking staff demands for a 6% pay rise were met council tax bills would rise by �80 a year - but is it the price we will have to pay to recognise these key workers' true value?

Angie, a full-time learning support assistant at a primary school in Brighton, thinks it is time she and others like her were paid a "realistic wage".

A single parent to two children, aged 14 and 10, she says it is a real struggle to survive on her salary of �7,000 a year in a city which has some of the most expensive housing in the country.

If I had Tony Blair sat opposite me I would say: 'You do my job for a day'

Angie, learning support assistant

Her salary is topped up by family tax credit of �500 a month, but that is not enough to buy "luxuries" for her children and her 14-year-old daughter has decided to take a part-time weekend job to give herself some financial independence.

She said of the strike: "It shouldn't have to come to this stage where schools have to close for people to sit up and take notice.

"But we can't carry on the way we are.

"People need to realise how much responsibility there is within this job. It is a supervising role and a counsellor rolled into one.

"I would like to be paid a fair wage.

"If I had Tony Blair sat opposite me I would say: 'You do my job for a day'."

Angie says she loves her job, which entails supervising children with special needs, learning and behavioural difficulties.

A Brighton school has just advertised for a full time school assistant - offering an annual salary of �7,771 - a small sum for a job which includes "help with exam invigilation" and "supervising classes when the teacher is absent".

Lack of appreciation

Swimming pool attendant Pat Churns, who will be supporting Wednesday's action, has a job which could entail saving a life, if someone gets into difficulties in the deep end.

She earns a basic salary of �13,000 a year, which rises to about �15,000 with shift pay for early starts and late finishes.

She said: "All everyone wants is a decent standard of living.

Blair: Must learn 'true value' of council staff

"Since 1992, annual pay increases for local government staff have fallen well below the public and private sector.

"We have tried to negotiate, but it has fallen on deaf ears.

"We have to work every other weekend and we think we are unfairly treated."

She said quite a lot of customers have voiced their support the strike.

"We are responsible for people's lives, but we feel very under-valued and we are disgusted with the pay offer."

Another one-day strike is expected to be called next month as well as a campaign of selective action.

Wednesday's strike is being organised by UNISON, the GMB and the TGWU.