‘Historic win’ for Royal Crown Derby workers as majority vote for union recognition

Dave Bevis / Derby - Royal Crown Derby Works / CC BY-SA 2.0

Workers at 300-year-old fine bone china manufacturer Royal Crown Derby have voted for GMB recognition after the company threatened to de-recognise the union.

Royal Crown Derby was established in 1750 and has been at its present site on Osmaston Road since 1878. It was sold to ceramic industry leader Kevin Oakes in 2016.

The historic firm has recently undergone a restructure which threatened to challenge workers’ collective bargaining rights, GMB said.

Now, following a “lengthy” campaign by GMB members, over 80% of workers at the Derby business have voted in favour of representation by the union for the purposes of collective bargaining and consultation.

Wendy Grieveson, GMB Organiser, said: “GMB has a long and proud history of fighting for workers in the ceramic and porcelain industry and I’m delighted that the hard work and campaigning of GMB members at Royal Crown Derby has paid off.

“This is an historic win for workers at an equally historic company and brand. The hard work starts now.”

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