Thousands of workers set to strike

Thousands of workers will go on strike this week in three separate disputes over jobs and pensions affecting consumer goods giant Unilever, tax offices and a leading gallery.

A rolling programme of strike action will hit Unilever sites across the country from Wednesday as unions step up their protest against the company's plans to close its final salary pension scheme. Lightning strikes will hit tax offices on Monday over union fears that work is being privatised, while workers at the National Gallery in London will walk out on Thursday in a row over staff cuts.