VETERAN legislator Pang Chun-hoi is moving to prevent a rift within the flagship pro-Taiwan union.
The attempt follows a decision by Chan Yun-che, a former member of Taiwan's Legislative Yuan, to contest a seat held by the union on the Labour Advisory Board in the December 3 poll.
Mr Chan is testing his popularity ahead of a possible bid for a Legislative Council labour constituency seat next year.
He is a former leader of the pro-Taiwan flagship, the Hong Kong and Kowloon Trade Union Council (TUC), and his move is seen as a direct challenge to Mr Pang's plans for TUC president Leung Tsz-leung to take over his Legco seat.
Mr Pang has been unchallenged as a representative of the labour functional constituency since 1985.
He said he would try to persuade Mr Chan to withdraw. 'When the nomination ends on Saturday, we will talk to him, seeking to persuade him to withdraw as we have already nominated Mr Leung for the election.