Dan Collins, of James Street, had worked for Event Staging and Structures Ltd on the Ouzledale Foundry site, for seven years.

"I had problems with the firm and my partner's dad, who is a branch secretary for the GMB Union, suggested I join and try to get others to do the same, as if we could get enough people to sign we would be entitled to a shop steward," he said.

The tribunal heard Dan had been seen handing out union leaflets by his boss, Carl Ryder, and threatened with the sack if he continued.

"Dan was very brave to join the trade union when he knew his boss was so opposed," said branch secretary Edna Greenwood. "But three weeks later he was up on a disciplinary charge."

Dan appealed only to find himself suspended, and then sacked, the firm saying it had lost confidence in his ability to do his job.

"They came up with all sorts of claims about me, some dating back the whole seven years," he said.

Dan went to an initial stage of the tribunal in September when he was back on the books of the company until the full hearing which he won. Dan has since got a new job in Manchester.

Managing director Mr Ryder did not attend the tribunal, but said afterwards: "We took a commercial decision. We conceded the case, but did not sack him for being in a union."