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The "conservative, fearful culture" that is "holding universities back" is not the creation of campus trade unions. Rather, it is due to the reluctance of university managements to address the long-ingrained habits of bullying and harassment, cronyism and institutional discrimination that the trade unions are energetically attempting to challenge.

It is depressing but not at all surprising to learn from the leaked document that many university HR directors are still in denial and choose to blame the unions for their problems instead of working with them to make universities more congenial working environments. At least we now know what to expect.

Sue Blackwell, Assistant branch secretary, UCU University of Birmingham.