The deal, which has been struck following 12 months of talks assisted by conciliation service Acas, means that Unite is now the recognised union that negotiates pay and conditions for members across all of Polestar’s sites, representing up to 400 employees.

“The other six sites that belong to Polestar have been unionised for some time but membership at Bicester had shrunk to a very small number and we were effectively derecognised there a couple of years ago around the time it was bought,” said Unite regional officer Tim Elliott.

“We have slowly built the membership up and this new agreement recognises Unite as the sole union that can negotiate terms and conditions for those in the press hall, bindery and other divisions.

Elliot said that more than half of staff that voted had supported the move.

“All the reps are in place now and I am looking forward to working with them in the future,” he added.