Second historic vote by workers for union recognition at Springtown-based hard-drive manufacturer Around 270 workers employed as engineering specialists by Seagate, at Springtown in Northern Ireland have voted overwhelmingly for collective representation by Unite. The vote is the second by a large group of workers at the Springtown-based hard drive manufacturer. Last year, in what was a groundbreaking success for a union in the sector, Unite secured collective bargaining rights for 550 manufacturing specialists. Engineering specialists play a vital role in the company, maintaining processes, buildings and equipment at the factory. The vote opens the door to a formal recognition agreement being concluded quickly as management at the factory have already committed that if workers vote for collective bargaining they will engage with the union.