Recognition at the facility will cover staff at working in the mailing open, sort and dispatch department, who make up the majority of the site's 100-strong workforce.

The wheels of Unite's campaign for recognition at Leicester were set in motion in September 2007, with a voluntary agreement being signed after union membership density reached two-thirds of the workforce.

Luke Primarolo, Unite regional organiser for the East Midlands, said: "RR Donnelley has been more than cooperative with us. This is an amicable agreement."

Primarolo said: "The deal will enable employees to have a voice at the workplace on concerning issues such as annual pay negotiations and changes to working practices."
 
Unite national officer Steve Sibbald said: "Our members are well on their way to developing strong union structures and having a real say on the issues that matter to them.

"They have made a great start and if they pursue issues with the same tenacity they pursued recognition, I'm sure they will be very successful."