STREET Theatre, charity work and a candlelight vigil will be features of tomorrow's strike action against Barnet Council's service outsourcing programme.

Up to 300 UNISON union members are expected to take part in strike action tomorrow in protest of the council's One Barnet Programme.

This is the second strike to be held by UNISON over the dispute, with the first, dubbed "Barnet Independence Day" on September 13.

In a twist to traditional industrial action, stikers on the picket line outside North London Business Park tomorrow morning will stage a short piece of street theatre demonstrating their objections to the programme.

At 10.30am a number of strikers will travel across the borough to provide assistance to a local charity.

UNISON members are calling on the Leader of Barnet Council, Councillor Richard Cornelius, to donate money saved from the strikers' wages to the Mayor’s charities.

The day's action will culminate in a candlelight vigil outside Hendon Town Hall from 6.30pm before the Planning Committee begins.

The union argues that under the One Barnet Programme, up to 70 per cent of the council workforce could be transferred to the private sector in more than 15 months' time.

Barnet UNISON branch secretary, John Burgess said: "Strike action is always a last resort, for the last three years we have been asking for a genuine dialogue with the council to explore ways to save money, improve services."

“The Council is gambling that the private sector can deliver £100 million savings over the next 10 years. We have seen no evidence to substantiate these claims."

"Our members are not daft; they can see that redundancy and cuts to jobs and services are behind the transfer from the council to a private sector contractor"

UNISON is asking for the programme to be put on hold whilst meaningful talks with staff, trade unions and residents take place to look at alternatives.

The Times Series had contacted Barnet Council for comment and is awaiting a response.