The Communication Managers Association (CMA) is angry that Amicus, its parent union, is in negotiations to merge with the Transport and General Workers’ Union (T&G) and the GMB. The association, which represents about 13,000 middle managers at Royal Mail, says that its members’ needs will be neglected within the so-called super union.

The association will vote shortly on whether to oppose the merger, which is set to happen early in 2007. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the CMA will break away from Amicus if the merger goes ahead.

Employers are worried that the merged union could herald a return to stronger union power. The dispute between Gate Gourmet, the British Airways caterer, and its workers raised the spectre of greater union militancy. Unofficial walkouts and a proliferation of strike ballots have hit many sections of industry and commerce this year, including disputes at Asda, Wm Morrison, Chubb and Rolls-Royce.

Tony Woodley, general secretary of the T&G, has maintained a high profile throughout the Gate Gourmet dispute. It has been suggested that he is seeking to position the T&G as the dominant partner in the proposed merger.

A spokesman for the Trades Union Congress rejected other suggestions that the merger will undermine the TUC’s role in representing 6.5 million affiliated members. “The proposed merger is not perceived as a threat to the TUC. It makes sense for unions to consolidate and pool resources and may well help them to avoid competing to try and recruit from the same industries,” he said.

However, Brendan Barber, general secretary of the TUC, who played a key role in bringing Gate Gourmet and the T&G back to to the negotiating table, has been criticised by some union leaders for being too close to the Government. The proposed super union, which would represent about a third of the TUC’s mandate, could wield more influence over Mr Barber’s actions.

A spokesman for Amicus said that plans for the merger would be unaffected by any action taken by the CMA.

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