A lock system for an article of furniture such as a cabinet or pedestal having one or more drawers or doors includes a lock bar movable between locked and unlocked positions responsive to an actuator and operating mechanism. The actuator and operating mechanism includes a lead screw which provides front-rear movement of a slider to which a toothed rack is mounted, in response to key operation of the lock mechanism by an operator. A toothed pinion is engaged with the toothed rack, and is rotatable in response to the front-rear movement of the rack. A pair of shafts are mounted to and rotatable with the pinion, extending between the pinion and a pair of levers mounted one on each side of the cabinet. Each lever is pivotably mounted, and includes an arm for lifting and lowering the lock bar in response to rotation of the shaft.