LIZ Edge's comments on the university pay dispute (Students hardest hit by pay protest, Readers' Letters, May 22) assume that the unions concerned have been hijacked by a "few dozen" militants.

Given that a well-attended meeting of 'non-activist' members of the local association voted unanimously to reject the current pay offer and that no local member has expressed a contrary view, we are confident that we do have the support of ordinary members in seeking further negotiations on our pay claim.

One reason for this will be that the formalities required in a ballot would have meant a three-week delay.

In that time, the prospects for normal graduation would have disappeared for many students, since the employers would obviously have sat tight while they awaited their hoped-for outcome.

Also, the national talks exploring avenues to a settlement that are taking place today would not be happening.

University teachers - and not just union 'militants' - are determined that sufficient of the considerable increase in university funding over the next three years will be used to help restore the long-term decline in academic pay.

Our national negotiators along with their NATFHE colleagues are meeting with the employers and ACAS today.

If the outcome is positive, our General Secretary has promised MPs that the industrial action could be suspended ahead of a general ballot of the membership in order to preserve the possibility of a timely and regular graduation for this year's finalists.

York AUT and the University of York have issued a joint statement expressing the hope that this week's talks will bring about a swift resolution to the current dispute.

Dr Simon Parker,

Vice-President, York AUT.

Updated: 09:32 Thursday, May 25, 2006