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Gordon Brown has opened the door to union influence by inviting leaders to a policy summit at Chequers.
Leaders of 15 of the biggest trade unions have been invited to the Prime Minister's country residence tomorrow for lunch and a discussion on unemployment and spending.
Such a gathering was previously unthinkable under New Labour - and No 10 appeared to have hoped it would be kept secret.
Guests include Brendan Barber of the TUC, Left-wingers Tony Woodley and Derek Simpson of Unite and Dave Prentis of Unison.
One said the occasion was called "to discuss issues of contention".
Some say they will challenge Mr Brown over the threat to jobs posed by his vow to curb public spending.
A No 10 source said it would be "no love-in" nor a return to "beer and sandwiches at No 10", the phrase synonymous with union influence in the Seventies.
Some unions are threatening to cut donations to Labour. Last year, they gave £11.4million - 60 per cent of the party's income.
Former Cabinet minister Charles Clarke today opened Labour tensions by calling for tax increases, deep spending cuts and cash charges to users of public services including the NHS.
