The union said government body the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) ruled that Amicus will represent its members in negotiations.

According to the union, the majority of staff at the Eccles, Manchester-based company support union recognition. Ritrama has 30 days to “conclude a formal recognition agreement” with Amicus.

Amicus assistant general secretary Tony Burke said: “We are pleased with the CAC decision and I want to thank our members at Ritrama who have waited three years to get union rights. We hope the company will now listen to its workforce and sit down with us and work towards building a relationship, which will benefit the company and its employees.”

Ritrama has sites in Italy, the US, Spain and the UK.