The prospect of parking attendants not issuing tickets is only a small part of the council's problems in next week's 24-hour strike.

Almost all council services are likely to be severely affected when the three major unions stage a one-day strike on Wednesday next week.

UNISON, GMB and T&G unions have more than 2,600 members working directly for Barnet Council who will be taking industrial action next week as part of a nationwide strike. They are demanding a six per cent pay rise and an increase in their London weighting pay from £1,407 to £4,000. Barnet UNISON has already staged three 24-hour strikes over the issue.

Gerry McAllister, the branch secretary of Barnet UNISON, said: "The libraries will be closed. Some of the schools and nurseries will be closed.

"Some of the day care centres may be shut, we're certainly aiming to close some of the council buildings but we don't know how achievable that is."

Tony Warr, organiser for GMB in Barnet, said: "I can't think of any services that won't be affected even parking attendants won't be issuing tickets."

Council leader Victor Lyon said there was little he could do about it as it was a national problem. He said: "I think it's unfortunate. Workers must know that it's a question of how much money the Government is prepared to give. In all truth the local representatives regret it because we have very good relations with them."

July 10, 2002 17:30