The UK's two largest trade unions, Unite and Unison, are seeking to co-ordinate strike action this autumn as they step up demands for better pay.
However, the tie-up would stop short of a national general strike, which some union leaders have called for.
Both Unite and Unison have submitted motions ahead of the Trade Union Congress next month calling for walkouts to be synchronised to have more impact.
There has been a rise of strikes this summer, with rail workers, barristers and rubbish collectors walking out.
Pay 'to reflect cost of living'
The TUC - which represents 48 unions - will hold its annual conference online. It said it was ready to help members of those unions win pay rises that reflect the cost of living.
"This Conservative government is now putting together a co-ordinated plan to stop workers from protecting their pay and conditions - and working people are on the brink," a spokeswoman told the BBC.
"So, if strikes coincide, it reflects this broad attack on working people and their living standards coming from this government.
"The TUC has always helped to co-ordinate strike action when asked by our unions and we are ready to do so again."
'We feel there is no choice'
Unison, which has 1.3 million members, is taking part in bin strikes currently hitting Scotland and plans walkouts by school and nursery staff as well as exam board workers.
Unison and other unions have largely been rebuffed in their demand for pay rises that match the rising cost of living.
A spokesman told the BBC: "Workers don't take the decision to strike lightly, but they feel they have no other choice to get a decent wage increase. It makes sense for unions to ensure any industrial action is as effective and meaningful as possible."
'£150m in people's pockets'
On Sunday, Unite boss Sharon Graham said that her organisation would not back down.
She said 73,000 of her members had been in dispute in the last year, and 80% of those actions had been successful.
"We've put £150m back in members' pockets, and they are ordinary men and women of all different ages. It would be totally wrong for me as the leader of this trade union not to say to employers that you need to pay these workers more."