The agreement covers the administrative, technical and sales staff at Corby, where production staff are already recognised.

GPMU deputy general secretary Tony Burke said the move was a positive step, and he was pleased with the way management at the plant had conducted themselves during negotiations.

However when contacted by PrintWeek Quebecor's human resources director Paul Robertson-Marriott declined to comment on the matter.

Agreement had been reached following the involvement of ACAS who verified union membership in the office and administrative areas at Corby.

Burke said the attitude of the company in the UK was in stark contrast to Quebecor World in the US, where the GPMU's sister union, the GCIU, is still fighting for union rights at a number of Quebecor plants.

The US Government's National Labour Relations Board has issued complaints against Quebecor in the US, and it has also filed charges against the company in Nevada for alleged unlawful anti-union conduct.

He also paid tribute to East of England branch secretary Vernon Robson and organiser David Monaghan for their part in negotiations with Quebecor.

The move for recognition was also significant coming so close to the merger with Amicus.

The technical, sales and administrative staff who are now recognised would be the same kind of people that the union would be trying to entice into Amicus, Burke said.

The GPMU will become a sector, one of the largest, within Amicus in the next few weeks.

Story by Andy Scott