Need some advice or reactions please

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I have worked for 5 years for a small family based consultancy. I have loved my job because although I am part time I have really interesting work, have had some travel and have felt very respected by my employers, a couple who we will call Dick and Dora.
In the last year the kind of work we do has changed a bit and we are getting different sorts of clients wanting different sorts of services. Out of the blue, Dick sent me and my three colleagues an email proposing to change the calculations of the way we are paid in order to "smooth out fluctuations." We all took one look at the email and realised that it was a blatant attempt to pay us less. Huge hurt and distress has ensued with much secret discussion about whether we 4 should leave and start up a rival business etc etc. Dick has been obdurate to our response, refused to meet us as a group (we are not all in the same city). Meanwhile Dora has been running around offering us cups of tea and saying how shocked she is that we are all upset.
Next, I get a secret email from them offering me a significant and secret pay rise and asking for my advice on getting this change through.
I just can't see how I can stay in this job now which is going to have all sorts of dire consequences for my income, DC's and life in general. But I don't want to be bribed over my colleagues - we are a very tightly knit team. I am just shocked at how fast a great work situation has all unravelled.
I don't have a specific question, but would love to hear others' reactions. Because it is a small company we have all been close and have socialised together etc. That also makes it harder to negotiate because we get sucked into the family dynamic.

I would reply in writing saying that you accept their offer, but that you cannot offer any advice regarding the other employees pay/conditions and that to ensure good relations with your colleagues you would prefer to be open and honest about your new terms.

It is now illegal for employers to insist on secrecy with regard to salary levels, but I guess in a small family business that is neither here nor there.

No-one on here can decide for you what you should do - loyalty vs job security is a dreadful position to be put in.

If you don't have a choice and need the job then you have to side with the employers.

If you can take the risk then I would suggest you tell the owners that they need to be open and fair and either return to the 'old' way of paying staff or be open in negotiating with staff, because by asking you to side with them they are putting you in an impossible situation. You can do all of this without speaking to your colleagues.

TBH I think the pressure needs to be released on the situation and sooner would be better than later. IMO the 4 of you need to insist that you meet with D&D, and I think you should tell them that you are thinking of resigning and want to meet to see if you can find a way to move forward from the current impasse. Otherwise I think even if the salary thing is sorted the lack of mutual trust will fester and destroy the relationships.

Isn't it illegal to impose a pay cut on employees without consent?
www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/5836105/Take-a-pay-cut-or-a-P45-what-are-your-rights.html
If your payment terms/calculations are written into your contract then changing it without your agreement surely must be breach of contract.

I really feel for you because I've worked in a small family company myself so I know how difficult it is to separate your working rights from your emotional ties in a situation like this. But I think SartyLady's suggestion is a great one as if they haven't made it clear that your payrise is conditional upon you helping them make this change (which I doubt would be legal anyway) then it's there own fault if their sneakiness backfires for them.

Thank you all for your good insights. It is hard because I am so emotionally caught up in it and I searched so long to find a part time job that used my brain after I had kids!
I am thinking of reversing sarkylady's advice - saying thanks for the offer of a pay rise but I would like to park it until the larger issue is sorted out and I am in fact not conmfortable with a "secret" pay rise.

How is your pay made up? ie basic salary plus bonus? And how much of it is contractual? That has a big difference as to whether your employer can force a change which might be useful to know before you start negotiations. Also, are you all employees? Or are some contractors/self employed?

One thing that crossed my mind is that the company might be in financial trouble? Is that a possibility?

You are obviously nicer than me :)