LABOUR leadership hopeful Jeremy Corbyn will swap hustings for picket lines today in support of workers striking to resist privatisation at the National Gallery.

Determined PCS union members are taking their 35th day of action against plans for visitor services roles to be contracted out.

And Mr Corbyn is taking a break from the campaign trail to support their strike by speaking at a lunchtime rally outside the Trafalgar Square landmark.

He will stand shoulder to shoulder with union rep Candy Udwin, who has been sacked by bosses during the dispute.

Mr Corbyn said the dismissal showed why Labour needed to reverse Thatcher’s anti-union laws.

“That Candy Udwin has been sacked simply for representing her members shows that workers and trade unions need greater legal protections,” said the veteran left MP.

“Instead, this government proposes legal changes to tip the balance even further in favour of unscrupulous employers.

“The management of the National Gallery must reinstate Candy and abandon plans to privatise dedicated staff who look after our cultural assets.”

The union has asked for an urgent meeting with incoming gallery director Gabriele Finaldi and new chairwoman of trustees Hannah Rothschild to try to resolve the dispute.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “The gallery’s new management have an opportunity now to end this dispute, reinstate Candy and repair the damage done to the reputation of one of our finest cultural institutions.”

Green Party leader Natalie Bennett will also address the rally, which starts at 1pm.

As the Star went to press, Mr Corbyn had 14 nominations to his name.