Labour's deputy leader will urge unions not to break their links with the party, amid a growing row over funding.
Harriet Harman will tell bosses at the TUC annual conference they are "on the same side" and should fight the Tories together at a "dangerous moment".
Several unions say party leader Ed Miliband is wrong to remove the automatic Labour affiliation fees paid by millions of their members.
But he insists this will boost the number of active Labour supporters.
Ms Harman will address the dinner at the TUC in Bournemouth, following strong criticism of her leader by several union general secretaries.
Unison's Dave Prentis said Mr Miliband was "living in cloud cuckoo land", while the GMB's Paul Kenny claimed some of his decisions seemed like they had been made up "after a night out".
'Challenging'In her speech, Ms Harman will try to calm tensions, saying that "we meet in particularly difficult and challenging times".
She will add: "And it is when things are most difficult and most challenging for people out there, that we - the trade union and Labour movement - must stick together."
End Quote Harriet HarmanWe need to re-evaluate and re-new our relationship with members because it is that link which matters so much"
Ms Harman will say unions and Labour form the "bulwark against reaction and the only hope for progress", continuing: "I am proud of the link between the Labour party and the trade unions. I do not want it weakened. Nor does Ed. We want to see it strengthened and deepened. That is what is at the heart of our plans for party reform."
Mr Miliband insists that removing the automatic affiliation fees paid by millions of union members to his party will ensure that only those with an active interest are involved in future.
They will be asked instead whether they want to "opt in" to become full members of the party.
Mr Miliband acknowledges this will cost Labour much of its funding, but argues it will make the party stronger.
Ms Harman will say: "I know there are some of you who have concerns about the path we are embarking upon but we need to be clear about why Ed has taken this decision.
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TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady: "I think this is an internal Labour party matter"
"We need to re-evaluate and renew our relationship with members because it is that link which matters so much - especially in these tough economic times.
"And let's be honest, the Labour Party and the trade union movement has nothing to lose - and everything to gain from a more meaningful, direct relationship with actual members - not only a relationship between structures of power and organisation."
'Dangerous moment'The GMB has already announced it is cutting the amount of money it gives Labour via affiliation fees.
Ms Harman will say: "I was disappointed by the GMB's decision last week and there are difficult decisions that we have to work through ahead of our special conference next March. But how we go about it, is important. We all need to think carefully about who gains from any falling out and any division.
"And we need to remember that fundamentally we're fighting for the same things - that we are on the same side.
"If we don't have unity, there [are] going to be winners and losers. The winners will be the Tories and the losers will be our constituents and your members. This is a dangerous moment."
Ms Harman's speech comes ahead of Mr Miliband's address to the conference on Tuesday.
Asked if she expected him to be booed, TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said he would get a "good reception".
She added that her advice to both sides was to "shake hands and move on".
Ms O'Grady, who is due to address the TUC on Monday for the first time since she was appointed as its leader earlier this year, is expected to say "that union money - the few pence freely given every week, by nurses, shop workers and truck drivers - is the cleanest cash in politics".
"Because for too long, politics has been controlled by those who already have far too much money and far too much power. Half the Conservative Party's funding comes from the City," she said.
"In contrast, unions are Britain's biggest democratic membership movement of ordinary people. If unions were denied a political voice we wouldn't have had the 1944 Education Act, we wouldn't have the NHS, we wouldn't have equal pay for women, we wouldn't have a minimum wage."
Ms O'Grady will make five pledges: to restore the goal of full employment, build one million new council and affordable homes, guarantee fair pay, strengthen the welfare state and ensure fair rights at work.
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