Schools were closed, bins were left full on pavements, libraries locked their doors, streets weren't cleaned and burials were postponed amid the country-wide strike over a pay deal described as "an insult to staff".
Although teachers were not taking part in the strike, cleaners, bus drivers, meal providers and janitors involved in the action forced many schools to close just a day after they had re-opened following the summer break and to avoid distress to families, all burials were scheduled to avoid taking place on Wednesday.
Schools affected included Sheuchan and Belmont primaries in Stranraer, Minnigaff and Glenluce primaries and Stranraer Academy. Douglas Ewart High School in Newton Stewart wasn't due to welcome pupils back until yesterday (Thursday) following flood damage to the school.
One teacher said: "If you consider what is being offered in the pay deal then I think the strike action is quite understandable. I just hope it works, or else there's been a lot of people inconvenienced for nothing."
The action, kick-started by UNISON - the council's trade union - saw many staff members form picket lines outside council offices and schools in Newton Stewart and others took to the streets to hand out leaflets which read "Council employees have the worst pay, holidays, parental rights and sick pay in the public sector.
"Councils saved at least £82 million in so-called 'efficiency savings' last year. Saving that YOU delivered."
These leaflets were handed around Newton Stewart, Stranraer, Castle Douglas and towns and villages in between, as well as further across the region.
Staff have rejected a two and a half percent pay deal over three years amid claims that inflation has topped the five percent mark - which effectively means staff would be taking a paycut.
UNISON Scotland secretary Matt Smith added that the employers' press statements showed they were "impressed by the backing for the strike and the arguments about the levels of inflation.
"But they need to come back to the unions with clear proposals to address the impact of rising prices on our members. If there is no movement then we will have to look to further action in the near future."
UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said on Wednesday: "Our members have not taken this action lightly – they are the lowest paid workers in the public sector, and they are saying enough is enough.
"They are having to make difficult choices about which bills to pay – bread is up 17 percent, butter up 31 percent, eggs up 37 percent, central heating oil up 74 percent - how far will 2.5 percent go?"
A Council spokesperson said: "The Council made every effort to maintain services as much as possible during the strike. In circumstances where appropriate safety cover could not be provided the closure of some Council facilities was necessary. Some facilities did remain open such as leisure centres, but unfortunately some classes were suspend due to a lack of staff.
"There were 39 school closures in the region, for the ones remaining open, provision was made for school meals. Prior to the strike it was decided that no burials would be carried out in Dumfries and Galloway on the strike day. Following talks with the unions prior to the action, special dispensation was granted to key staff to ensure that care for the elderly and the vulnerable remained unaffected.
"Every effort will be made to deal with un emptied bins over the forthcoming days, within normal working hours. Further announcements will be made early next week on when remaining bins will be emptied. Householders are asked to store their bins until arrangements can be made.
"While Council services were affected by strike action, every effort was made to keep disruption to services to a minimum. As a result of the strike, a team will also be set up to investigate the lessons learnt."