Union leaders at the GMB have angrily criticised the chief executive of Saga after claiming that he had thrown out a peace deal agreed with the former private equity backer of the AA four months ago.

Saga and the AA joined forces in a £6 billion merger last month, with Saga’s management taking over day-to-day running of the service. Paul Kenny, the GMB general secretary, said that Andrew Goodsell, Saga’s chief executive, had refused to meet the union, despite a written request.

Mr Goodsell has insisted in a letter seen by The Times that there are “no plans to change” a policy that refuses to recognise the GMB at the AA. Mr Kenny said that broke a promise made in March by Damon Buffini, the managing partner of Permira, the major AA backer before the Saga deal.

Mr Buffini said that he would consider rerecognising the union if it could prove that it had the 1,800 members in the AA workforce that it claimed to represent.

The GMB said that it would leave no stone unturned in forcing Saga to the negotiating table. Mr Kenny said: “Mr Goodsell will find that the chickens will come home to roost. Damon Buffini agreed a process to rerecognise the GMB. That agreement has been countermanded by Mr Goodsell.”

Times Recommends

• Minister in talks with Saudis to protect creditors
• Premier Inn hits back in £29-a-room row
• Bankers hit back at 'populist' bonus supertax