TNT contract advice

I am posting this for a friend of mine who is in a quandary and does not have much time to make a decision so I thought I would ask for some sage advice here

Basically he has been working for TNT for 11 years and has a contracted 35 hours a week with bonus.

The company are saying they can not afford to pay the bonus and there is newer staff on a different contract. Apparently there is a new law coming in in 2010 stating all regular staff has to be on the same contract for the same job.

TNT and the union have been to Acas and they have come up with an offer of £3000 payout and a new contract. The bonus averages £90 per week.

TNT have sent out termination documents stating that the existing contracts are to end. Now my friend was going to accept the £3000 payout but some of his colleges are taking action in tribunal stating the contract termination constitutes unfair dismissal.

Now personally I feel at tribunal it will be seen as TNT have done what they can and the conciliation with Acas would be seen as they have done enough but he is unsure . He only has till August 3rd to make a decision. I have advised him to seek independant legal advise but thought id post here to get opinions

[webcrawler2050]

Tribunal can be a pain in the rear end! The first, thing, seeks profesional legal advise. Tribunal will be the way in my eyes, to "scare" the company as tribunals are horrid. But he needs to do what he feels is right!

[Hom3r]

Tell you friend to fight it and seek legal advice (through the union).

I work for TNT (a different side of the business) and I'm being screwed by them, but I'm not in a union.

[Aragorn]

Difficult decision -
I assume his colleagues will know if he decides to fight it or not, but from the job security side I would be tempted to toe the company line.
Can't see how changing a contract can be seen as unfair dismisal - no one is being forcibly dismissed.
Of course if they do somehow win, your friend will be quids in if he toes the line as they will be forced to offer everyone a better deal.
I would be interested if anyone knows more about this 'new law' as there are numerous different contracts within our company some of which are more beneficial than others - I can see those been harmonised to the lowest common denominator.

These are all people with the same job title on different contracts

I think they are after a better payoff rather than keeping the bonus

[Aragorn]

Are they refering to this - where agency workers will have the same contract rights as employees? In which case TNT are penalising the full timers by removing the bonus.

[Hom3r]

TNT are above the law. (I should know)