Seagate Technology workers vote for union recognition

Seagate opened in Londonderry in 1993 and is one of the region's biggest employers

Workers at one of the biggest employers in the north west have voted to secure trade union recognition for the first time.

Trade union Unite called the result of a ballot at Seagate Technology "a tremendous victory for the workforce".

The union said it follows years of campaigning at the Springtown factory in Londonderry.

Seagate said it has been notified by "the Industrial Court of the outcome of the union recognition ballot".

"Our priority remains to maintain a respectful workplace and we will continue to work together with employees to sustain a successful business and a positive workplace for everyone," the company added in a statement.

Opened in 1993, the factory produces a tiny specialised part for hard drives called a recording head.

Last year more than 100 staff at Seagate in Derry were made redundant.

That was part of a global restructuring operation, the company said at the time. It affected 116 people out of a total workforce of about 1,600 in Derry.

More than 500 workers voted in the unionisation ballot

The ballot for unionisation, involving 540 manufacturing specialists at Springtown, was taken after a campaign that had faced sharp opposition from the company, Unite said.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Now we have won recognition rights, Unite will redouble its efforts to deliver for the jobs, pay and conditions of the workers at Seagate".

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Seagate now has 30 days to negotiate a voluntary collective bargaining agreement, Unite said.

The union said in the event that is not agreed, the Industrial Court will impose a statutory agreement.