Black academics are so disillusioned with the Association of University Teachers that they plan to set up a network to put pressure on employers and unions to take race equality more seriously.

An AUT vice-president described the move as a "damning indictment" of the union. The plan comes amid growing unease among ethnic minority lecturers that they are not served by the union as well as white colleagues.

A meeting of black and ethnic minority trade unionists at Manchester University earlier this month voted to establish the network. The plans will be finalised at a meeting next month.

One of those present, Bill Gulam, senior lecturer at Salford University and a member of the AUT's national executive committee and chair of its equalities committee, said: "Most unions do not pay enough attention to the issue of race, and employers are seeking to depoliticise it."

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He said black and ethnic minority members felt isolated and that their legal representation was poor. "The network will act as a critical friend to the AUT," he added.

Gargi Bhattacharyya, AUT vice-president, said: "If in 2005 ethnic minorities feel so little confidence in their unions that they need to meet alone - then it is a damning indictment."

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Paul Cottrell, AUT assistant general secretary, said: "We are aware of the deep concerns of black members about their representation and welcome input from the new network."

He added: "The question of equality has been prominent in discussions for a new merged union."

The AUT is in talks to merge with lecturers' union Natfhe.