Trade unions have upped the ante ahead of their meeting with Labour Party chiefs at Warwick University this coming weekend. The policy forum/beano is where unions traditionally outline their demands to the government for new workers' rights.
Top of the list? Sack business secretary John Hutton. Reports in the press claim senior union official can't stand to be in the same room as him and want prime minister Gordon Brown to give him the boot.
An unnamed unionist said there had been a complete "breakdown in relations" with Hutton because of his perceived pro-business leanings. In a speech in May, he said the government was satisfied it had got the balance of employment legislation right.
This angered unions who accused him of "losing touch with reality", and pledged to fight for stronger laws.
The story has got political and union bloggers speculating as to what might happen.
In true politician style, Hutton said it was up to the PM to decide whether he keeps his job - not the trade unions. It's inconceivable that Brown would cave in to their demands, it would damage his credibility hugely and open himself up to further accusations that Labour is in the pocket of the union movement.
But with the general election creeping ever closer, will Hutton still be in his job come voting day?
More to the point, if he were to be reshuffled, who would take his place? A more union-friendly Labour minister with an agenda to keep the comrades happy? Employers should be watching this situation very carefully as the political machinations play out in the coming months.
