Union members are due to strike for the third time next month in protest at Barnet Council's One Barnet programme.

On Thursday, February 9, council workers will walk off the job and picket around the borough and at North London Business Park, in protest at plans to outsource council services and cover a £54 million shortfall over four years.

Barnet UNISON branch secretary John Burgess said the union's position remained the same as it campaigned against the council's plan to allow private companies to run many key services — a plan dubbed as "easyCouncil".

He said: "If the council agrees to meet to carry out meaningful consultation, we would be prepared to postpone action."

Council workers took their first strike action against the privatisation programme on September 13, 2011, which was dubbed Barnet Independence Day.

Strikers held a second day of action on October 18 and took their cause into the community, by volunteering to work for the day at The Larches, in Edgware.

UNISON said members would again carry out volunteer work during the February strike.