Hi, hope you can help,
I have worked for 12 years (this June) for a company. In Nov 08, 5 people left taking voluntary redundancy as we were over staffed. The part time staff who had previously been full time were paid redundancy of 2 weeks pay per year and their full time years were honoured and paid pro rata. (the full time staff were paid 2 weeks for every year)
On Feb 19th, we were informed that from March 28th our base was closing and we could all either re-locate to London (400 miles away so not poss for me) or take voluntary redundancy. (This affects 15 of us plus another 15 at a different base that is also closing)
The union met with the company and they are offering us 2 weeks for every year based on final salary.. my 8 yrs of full time only count as part time (which I have been for almost 4 years now)
I have written to the company saying how unhappy I am and that I feel I have worked for free since November, seeing as I have lost more by not taking redundancy in Nov than I have by staying employed!!
The company responded saying this is their best deal for the greatest number of staff.

Are they allowed to alter their packages so easily dependant on how many redundancies and in such a short space of time?

I don't want to "volunteer" for this package, will I loose anything by waiting to be made compulsory redundant?

If I take voluntary, can I take them to a tribunal afterwards? (I rang Acas who said I may have a case as by being part time I am being discriminated against -ie - full time person taking redundancy in Nov is still the same deal as now but Part timers previously full time loose out now but were paid pro rata back in Nov)

The company are proposing to transport us to London and put us up in hotels to work from March 29th until early July - (This will cost a fortune and so will our wages for being away from home) Can I use this as a bargaining tool by offering to leave now and save them the expense? Does this go to prove the company have the resources to give us the same deal as was offered in Nov?

I meet with my Manager in tomorrow to discuss what I want to do. I really hope you can give me some advice, am feeling very aggreived at the thought of losing approx £2500 but dont want to leave feeling this bitter!
Many, many thanks for any advice to my many questions! dawn