Bromley Council has been ordered to pay thousands in compensation to 18 staff members after an industrial tribunal found it had offered cash incentives to sign new contracts.

Unison announced today (July 30) the local authority has to pay more than £64,000 to 18 of its members who brought the case to court.

The local branch of the trade union took legal action after employees were given letters offering £200 if they signed new contracts of employment.

Unison says the authority asked the recipients to agree to a “localised pay award”, which would replace national and regional collective agreements.

General secretary Dave Prentis said: “The decision is a significant victory for our members at Bromley Council who were effectively coerced into signing away their employment rights.

“It should send a strong signal to other local authorities that they cannot simply withdraw from collective bargaining by going behind the union’s back and making these types of offers."

Unison also said some of those who refused to sign the new contract were “ultimately dismissed and re-engaged on new terms of employment.” Those in line to receive payouts will each get £3,600.

The organisation added in a statement: “Employers are prohibited from making offers to union members that have the purpose of changing their contracts so that their terms and conditions of employment are no longer determined by collective agreement.”

Linda Perks, UNISON Regional Secretary, said: "The decision is a significant victory for our members at Bromley Council who were effectively coerced into signing away their employment rights. 

"It should send a strong signal to other local authorities that they cannot simply withdraw from collective bargaining by going behind the union’s back and making these types of offers."

A council spokesman said: "We are currently considering the outcome of the tribunal and as such it would not be appropriate to comment at this stage."

More to come.