WORKERS in several key council departments have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strikes.

Barnet Unison members in several areas threatened with privatisation voted on what action to take, with 92 per cent agreeing to action short of a strike and 72 per cent voting to strike.

It is the first time council workers have agreed to strike over a local dispute, with many unhappy at the proposals to outsource the services without being given a chance to tender as a department.

The workers are in the cemeteries, planning, highways, land charges, registrars, environmental health, building control and trading standards units.

Union leaders will now meet with members to decide on the next steps in the process.