What are legal rights with company transfer?

My husband is employed by a company which sold the area he where he works. Another co-worker and he put in for a company transfer prior to a contract between the buyer and his company. The other employee was given the opportunity to make a transfer yet decided not to transfer after visiting the new location... My husband was not given the opportunity and is now being told he is not eligible for a transfer because the new company is offering him a position. In addition everytime my husband asked about the status of his transfer he was told to wait - now they are saying as part of the contract the new company has first rights to the employees. And will not address that he put in for a transfer prior to any contract. The new company has no pension and if my husband accepts the offer his pension benefits stop accruing. Is there anything my husband can do? Is he stuck with having to accept the offer and lose out significant pension benefits?