The bitter dispute between the AA and the GMB union has escalated with the recent departure of five call centre staff from the broker's insurance operation in Newcastle.
According to a GMB spokesman, the AA has been sacking permanent staff and replacing them with temporary staff in a bid to cut costs.
GMB members have been picketing the Newcastle base in protest at what they describe as an "asset-striping exercise" by new owners, venture capitalists CVC/ Premira.
Paul Maloney, GMB national secretary, AA section, called the AA "vindictive", adding: "Staff are being treated with total contempt and disrespect. "
The AA confirmed last month that it would not be moving its insurance call-centre operation to India. But it admitted that future restruc-turing was likely to lead to more job cuts.
An AA spokesman said: "Less than 10% of AA staff belong to the GMB and the union is trying to bolster that by making false claims. We have not been sacking long-standing staff and replacing them with cheaper temps.
"Unfortunately, some night-shift positions were no longer tenable, but we offered reasonable terms to those who left us."
He added: "Any job losses in the insurance business will be mitigated by jobs created through new business coming in."
Hosted by comedian and actor Tom Allen, 34 Gold, 23 Silver and 22 Bronze awards were handed out across an amazing 34 categories recognising brilliance and innovation right across the breadth of UK general insurance.
