UNIONS hailed a “resounding” legal victory today after the Supreme Court ruled collective agreements cannot be altered without directly involving employees.

Transport company Nexus bid to retrospectively “rectify” a 2012 agreement with Unite, RMT and other unions over the Tyne and Wear Metro, in order to avoid liabilities, was thrown out.

Employees argued the agreement, which incorporated a productivity bonus into employees’ basic pay, should have increased their shift allowances.