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I was saddened to see the bile of the Universities and Colleges Employers' Association being turned on Chaminda Jayanetti for his support for lecturers' action (Opinion, May 12) in Matt Grainger's letter (May 19).

It is a pity Ucea has not put anything like such energy into addressing the pay dispute.

If Ucea genuinely felt its previous promises were unaffordable, wider discussions with the unions and the Government should have begun when the initial claim was made at the beginning of the academic year. Ucea has been as provocative as possible in its actions in the dispute. If it had engaged in discussion, perhaps we might have got to the bottom of the remarkable claims that most of the extra money available is earmarked for pay.

Philip Bell
Manchester University