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The Association of University Teachers does not accept that academics should be employed on industry-style rolling contracts that abolish permanent lectureships ("End jobs for life culture", December 9).

Quality tertiary output depends on a workforce with a career structure and job security that allow full development of the high-level of skills required of teachers and researchers.

Fixed-term workers, who represent up to 50 per cent of academic and academic-related staff in UK universities, have no job security. They are typically lowest on the pay ladder. They are disproportionately female, black and other ethnic-minority workers. Their insecurity is a threat to their own wellbeing and to standards at their institutions.

Hugo Manson
Chair, National Fixed-term Staff Committee
Association of University Teachers