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There is little doubt that national pay bargaining is under considerable strain after last year's damaging dispute, and it will require not only commitment and goodwill but an effective mandate and reliable information to make it work. The signs are not encouraging, but as last week's Universities and Colleges Employers Association survey demonstrates, institutions recognise the value of national pay bargaining and are not ready to abandon it yet. To suggest, however, that Ucea may have "blundered" in canvassing the views of its members at this time is absurd.

Philip Harding
Finance director
Westminster University