Unite national construction secretary Bob Blackman retired earlier this month and national aviation officer Brian Boyd was in the running to take over the role.

Boyd has been heavily involved in strike action by BA cabin crew and his appointment would have caused concern among contractors.

But Unite has now decided Blackman’s role will not be replaced. He was joint national construction sceretary and the job will now be done solely by remaining national official Tom Hardacre.

A Unite spokesman said: “We were formed by an alliance of the TGWU and Amicus which led to the situation of joint national officials. The job will now be done just by Tom Hardacre.”

Union sources also expect leading regional official Bernard McAuley to now play a more prominent role in the construction section.

One industrial relations director told the Enquirer: “BA is in turmoil over strike action and everyone would have been a bit nervous to see the official leading that given a lead role in construction.”