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What a pity The THES made a drama of a ten-week-old pay-negotiations meeting rather than the hard news that the Transport and General Workers' Union, with 69 per cent in favour of the pay and national framework package, was the first union to declare a ballot result ("Employers slate AUT for missing crucial pay talks", THES , October 3).

Would your coverage of the ascent of Mount Everest concentrate on a tiff at base camp while Tensing and Hilary shinned to the summit?

Sure, there will be stumbles but I am confident that the goal of equality and decent pay, valuing the work of all staff from porters to professors, will be achieved.

Chris Kaufman
National secretary
Public services, TGWU