Oxford Brookes University is playing the role of matchmaker in a plan to help small textile firms.
The idea, conceived by Richard Beresford and Prof Roger Mumby-Croft of the University business school's enterprise centre, brought together the Federation of Small Businesses and the General Federation of Trade Unions in an informal alliance.
The scheme has attracted £25,000 in funding under the Department of Trade and Industry's social partnership scheme.
Prof Mumby-Croft said: "The two are surprisingly complementary. Many smaller unions have too few members, but lots of expertise and assets, and many small enterprises are not unionised and their staff could benefit."
FSB spokesman Stephen Alambritis said: "We will look at ways that staff and employers in industries under threat, such as textiles, can work to save their companies."
GFTU general secretary Michael Bradley said the collaboration would produce a manual of best practice.
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