The UK's two rail unions have tabled an emergency resolution at the forthcoming TUC conference opposing military action against Iraq.

Bosses from the RMT and Aslef made the decision as part of a clear challenge to the Trade Union Congress (TUC) leadership.

The TUC wants unions to support a statement which does not rule out military action, as long as it is done with the backing of the United Nations.

The conference, to be held next week in Blackpool, will decide whether to debate the controversial motion.

Crow: War against Iraq would be "madness"

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "Our members see services crumbling through lack of investment, while the government is considering spending tens of millions of pounds on death and destruction. This is criminal madness.

"Mr Blair, as Bush's closest ally, should urge the US president to call off his dogs of war and tell him that the use of US bases in Britain to launch an attack against Iraq would be unacceptable.

"I would not be surprised if US bases used to attack Iraq were surrounded by thousands of people demanding that they stop."

No evidence

The crisis over Iraq is due to be discussed at the union conference next Wednesday.

Meanwhile, this weekend, Tony Blair is holding crunch talks on Iraq in the US with President George Bush.

Aslef leader Mick Rix said there was no evidence Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction and no one in the USA or Britain was prepared to give any proof.

John Monks, general secretary of the TUC, said he expected the conference to be dominated by discussion on the prospect of war with Iraq and the timing of UK entry into the single currency.

He said he hoped the conference would unite behind a statement calling for evidence to be published and stating that any action must be taken with the authority of the United Nations.