South Korean steel firm Seah Wind and the GMB union have entered into a voluntary recognition agreement, after around 150 workers at its factory in the north-east of England had voted for strike action in August. Strike action could have caused delays to the project, which is set to be completed and fully commissioned by 2027. The recognition agreement means Seah Wind acknowledges GMB as a union and engages in collective bargaining of the hourly paid manual workers based on the site without the need for a formal legal process like a ballot. “Following several positive meetings, we reached a decision to enter into a voluntary recognition agreement with the GMB union. GMB regional organiser Andrew Blunt agreed that meetings with Seah Wind have been “productive”, describing it as a “major milestone for workers and Seah Wind”.