As an emblem of the fraternal harmony the trade union movement, the name of Britain’s biggest union, Unite, is as potent a symbol as any.

Given that the union was formed in a merger between the Transport and General Workers’ Union and Amicus - Latin for friend - the image that their amalgamation evokes is one of amity, accord and cooperation.

Perhaps, though, it’s time to look for a new name. Strife, maybe, or Discord, or even the Amalgamated Union of Loathing, Hatred, and Brothers Who Simply Cannot Bear To Be In The Same Room As One Another.

The friction between the two joint general secretaries - Tony Woodley from the T&G and Derek Simpson from Amicus - has been well documented, as has the fragility of the troubled merger.

Now, however, their enmity has plumbed new depths after Mr Simpson chose to liken union organisers to SS troops and cheerleaders in ra-ra skirts - earning himself a public rebuke from Mr Woodley.

As if that were not enough, Charlie Whelan, a senior member of staff and Gordon Brown’s former spin-doctor, is at the centre of bullying allegations that he could lead to the union’s staff going on strike.

Mr Whelan is no stranger to discord. As Mr Brown’s mouthpiece at the Treasury, he was notorious for his foul-mouthed briefings to political journalists, usually conducted over a pint in the Red Lion pub, and once provoked Alastair Campbell to refer to him as “a little oik”.

He got his comeuppance when he was forced to resign after being fingered for leaking the details of Peter Mandelson’s controversial mortgage loan.

Mr Whelan is now the political director of Unite, where he is accused of bullying, breach of staff members’ contracts and discrimination by three Unite employees, one of whom is John Cryer, the former Labour MP.

The three, who are all political officers, are being represented by GMB, a rival union, which is considering balloting for industrial action among its members at Unite.

One of the political officers, Sarah Merrill, says in a written complaint that the political department has “a real culture of fear, and a climate of bullying that he [Mr Whelan] allows to take place in his department, which is totally at odds with the policies of the union, and indeed is totally against the principles established under any dignity-at-work procedures.”

It is not known whether Mr Whelan, as part of his induction at Unite, was made familiar with the concept of “dignity-at-work procedures”.

Mr Simpson’s controversial remarks came at a meeting in Scotland of Unite’s organisers - people whose role it is to recruit new members.

In response to a question, Mr Simpson mocked the way the organising was done and likened it to people in SS uniforms and cheerleaders in ra-ra skirts with pompoms storming into workplaces.

The remarks have triggered official complaints and a reprimand from Mr Woodley.

In a letter to Unite’s employees in Scotland, Mr Woodley said: “In answering the question, Derek made derogatory references to SS uniforms, ra-ra skirts and pompoms.

“While I understand that it is Derek’s way to ‘joke’ about things, I have told him that such comments are inappropriate.”

Mr Simpson, who is currently in Cuba on what The Sun described as a “week-long junket” - any idea who leaked that story, comrades? - is fighting an election for the Amicus side of the union after a legal challenge against his plans to stay on beyond retirement.

He is facing four opponents, all of whom argue that the merger process is going badly because of personality clashes at the top.

Votes of no confidence

Tony Woodley, joint General Secretary of Unite, writing to members in Scotland, November 4

“I have been advised that at a meeting of officers and staff in Scotland, addressed by Derek Simpson, a question was raised . . . In answering, Derek made derogatory references to ‘SS uniforms, ra-ra skirts and pompoms’. While I understand that it is Derek’s way to ‘joke’ about things, I have told him that such comments are inappropraite and do little to assist the development of our organising strategy. To pose one group against the other only sows the seeds of division and ultimately damages what we are trying to achieve together in Unite - stopping 3 decades of decline. A difficult task I would suggest and even more difficult if we don’t pull together as a united Unite team. It’s unfortunate that unhelpful comments were made, joke or not, but for me, I will not stand by and allow such comments to go without redress.”

Complaint against Charlie Whelan, Unite’s political director, by Sarah Merrill on October 14

“Over the last year, I have been excluded, undermined, bypassed, accused behind my back of committing issues that have led certain people to question my capabilities, conduct, and performance and . . . have been accused of plotting against the union, among other issues. Charlie has led a bullying campaign against me . . There is a real culture of fear, and a climate of bullying that he allows to take place in his department, which is totally at odds with the policies of the union, and indeed is totally against the principles established under any dignity-at-work procedures.”

Further claim against Mr Whelan

“. . . he has said hurtful comments about members of departments to others, and at a Christmas function abused a female member of staff. At the same function, he treated other female members of staff inappropriately.”

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