Partnership deal will aid firm

Manufacturing union Amicus and the GMB general union have signed a partnership agreement with electronics group Thales. The company, which employs some 13,000 UK staff, describes itself as the second largest defence company in the UK.

The terms in which the deal was announced mark it out as a key example of "partnership" rather than a traditional "collective bargaining agreement".

The company is currently bidding as the prime contractor for a number of large UK defence programmes and sees the agreement as helpful in the bidding process.

Chief executive Alex Dorrian said: "Thales believes that the support of the trade unions will play a significant role in reinforcing the company's position and enhancing its profile as a partner of choice in the UK's highly competitive defence and aerospace markets."

This view was confirmed by Amicus joint general secretary Sir Ken Jackson, who said: "We welcome this momentous opportunity for the management and workforce to build on Thales' strengths...to win new contracts and secure a prosperous long-term future."

The deal also got the seal of approval from the government, with industry and energy minister Brian Wilson attending the press launch.