The AA says it is looking at performance

About 500 members of the GMB union were planning the demonstration at the Newcastle offices of the AA.

The union, which is holding its annual conference, has also accused the organisation of targeting sick and disabled employees for redundancy.

The AA says it is "surprised and bemused" at the union's claim.

Drivers who work for the AA recovery service are to be balloted for strike action.

'Stressed drivers'

The GMB accused the organisation of making increased demands for higher output.

Senior organiser Paul Maloney said: "The recovery drivers already work very long hours and are very stressed. They feel that they are now being pushed too far and will not tolerate any more demands on them.

"They have asked the GMB to organise a strike ballot to say to the AA that enough is enough."

The AA said the organisation's recognised trade union was no longer the GMB and has not been since the creation of the AADU (AA Democratic Union) in March 2005.

It said only around 6% of the recovery patrol teams are members of the GMB.

Steve Dewey, AA road services director said: "While we are exempt from drivers' hours regulations, we ensure our drivers do not exceed the guidelines other than in exceptional circumstances.

"The only time they would exceed this is, in the pursuit of good customer service, when they are recovering a member and get held up due to unforeseen local conditions, for example, traffic problems."