THE region was hit by the biggest wave of strikes in a generation as hundreds of teachers and civil servants walked out in a protest over pensions, pay and job security.
The industrial action affected a range of public services across the UK, from schools to tax offices and courts.
Almost two dozen local schools were hit by last Thursday’s action which saw public opinion split down the middle.
Among the campuses to completely shut down were Ysgol Craig y Don, Ysgol Tudno in Llandudno and Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy in Llanwrst.
David Evans, from NUT Wales, said about 800 teachers from Conwy and Denbighshire took part in the action and he warned that they were determined to continue the fight.
He said: “Most of our members who were asked to heed the strike call did so, which resulted in many schools being closed or partially closed.
“I think we achieved quite a bit as part of the strike day. We sent a powerful message to the government that the changes they propose are not acceptable to teachers or other public sector workers.”
Reactions on the streets were mixed, with some residents supporting the teachers’ actions and others claiming that public sector workers were asking too much.
Carolyn Williams, a mother from Colwyn Bay, said: “I understand why they (the teachers) are doing it. They are just trying to protect their pensions. I wouldn’t put up with it.
“It didn’t really make much difference to me as I’m a stay-at-home mother, but I feel sorry for the kids. It broke up their routine.”
Rose Williams, also of Colwyn Bay, said that she sympathised with neither the government nor the teachers, as compared to other public sector workers such as nurses, who did not strike, teachers were relatively well paid.
Neil Roberts, 40 of Llanfairfechan, said: “Teachers have it cushy with seven weeks holiday through the summer, but making people work until they’re 68 if they’ve been paying their pension all their lives is wrong. I wouldn’t be happy.”