A UNION is to take legal action to gain recognition for its members at a North-East furniture company in a historic move.

Union leaders have been trying for some time to come to an agreement with managers at Ness Furniture, which has plants at Croxdale and Newton Aycliffe, in County Durham, about representation.

But managers have so far failed to respond to any of the approaches, so the union has reluctantly decided to turn to the law.

In the first case of its kind in the region, the GMB union has approached the Central Arbitration Committee in an effort to resolve the deadlock.

Derek Cattell, regional organiser for the GMB, said: "We have always managed to reach a voluntary agreement with companies and we would like to do that with Ness, but we have not had any response from them.

"We have good relations with furniture manufacturers and we negotiate nationally for the industry.

"But unfortunately we have not been able to reach an understanding about representation with Ness.

"We are still hopeful that it could be resolved without having to resort to this legislation."

The GMB is to turn to the Employment Relations Act, which was added to previous legislation in 1999.

Mr Cattell said: "If you have got a majority of the workforce you can get automatic recognition.

"If you have not, the Central Arbitration Committee can order a secret ballot of employees for union recognition.

"We have started that process and unless a voluntary agreement is reached it will result in a ruling by the committee.

"It is the first time the GMB, which is the biggest trade union in the region, has actually gone down this legal route."

The union's relationship with Ness is in sharp contrast to negotiations with managers at Chep UK, which employs 50 people at its factory in nearby Spennymoor.

The GMB has been speaking to the company, which manufactures and repairs wooden pallets, with a view to gaining representation for members.

Mr Cattell said: "They have agreed to recognise the GMB and we are looking forward to working in partnership with the company for the benefit of them and their employees."

Ness was unable to comment yesterday on the GMB's action.