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AUT communications have made it perfectly clear that the memorandum of understanding between it and employers will not lead to rises as high as 12 per cent for colleagues at the top of scales. Indeed, the "private admission" attributed to Malcolm Keight corresponds exactly with what he told members at Brunel University more than a week ago immediately after the memorandum was issued.

While the pay debate took place in closed session and your journalists were asked to leave, they were present when Natfhe's general secretary addressed the meeting. He supported the AUT's position and dismissed propaganda claiming a "split" between unions.

The offer is not ideal, but it represents at least a change in the employers' position that cannot be dismissed without a ballot of members.

The Times Higher 's negative attitude towards lecturers' attempts to gain decent pay is reprehensible. In alienating much of your target audience, it is probably also commercial suicide.

Alan Harrison
President
Brunel University AUT