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Management at Nottingham University repeatedly makes the assertion that "the new pay structure for academic-related staff had been fully consulted on and accepted by 99 per cent of staff". It justifies this assertion by the fact that 99 per cent of staff have signed an acceptance form.

In fact, the academic-related staff were bribed and bullied into signing and few, if any, feel that the process has brought a change for the better. Staff were offered an additional assimilation payment if they signed before a specific date and were not told what would happen to their status or job if they did not sign.

I have now left the university after 34 years. I signed their piece of paper and took the assimilation payment two months before I retired. Hence I'm counted as one of the 99 per cent. But I am thoroughly disgusted by the dictatorial behaviour of the management and my heart goes out to those members of staff at Nottingham who don't have the option of early retirement.

A. N. Jack Nottingham Related letter