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Graham Sharp (Letters, October 8) says it's time the unions recognised the plight of hourly paid lecturers who develop very large parts of the teaching load in many universities. He is right, and we do.

Teaching in universities is more casualised than in almost any other industry. Research highlights the adverse effects of treating staff as casual without job security, or paid time to support students or their own scholarship.

During negotiations on the framework agreement it was the treatment of such staff that was a major sticking point for Natfhe. Under the new agreement, such staff must be properly graded and be able to receive contribution points.

Natfhe wants an end to mean-spirited, cost-cutting casualisation, which damages research and teaching. You'll be hearing much more from us on this issue this year.

Roger Kline
Head of universities department
Natfhe, the lecturers' union