The Association of University Teachers' new president, Philip Burgess, took office this week and was plunged immediately into drawing up battle plans for industrial action.

Mr Burgess took over offically from Joanna de Groot on Monday just two days before he chaired his first national executive meeting. The executive was considering research that shows that members are deeply unhappy at this year's 1.5 per cent pay offer and at the level of funding cuts.

Mr Burgess said: "We will have to try and gauge the mood of our members and look at the various options in front of us. Doing nothing is not an option. We clearly have to respond in some way."

Executive recommendations regarding industrial action will be put to a special council meeting on September 18. If approved, AUT members are likely to be balloted on industrial action in October with any action possibly starting in November.

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Industrial action taken will be coordinated with other unions including the National Association of Teachers in Higher and Further Education and Unison. The unions agreed this in July.

* Higher education funding, profit-related pay and the private finance initiative are to be debated at the Trades Union Congress annual conference in Blackpool next week.

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AUT motions condemn funding cuts and call on the TUC's general council to submit evidence to Sir Ron Dearing's inquiry into higher education that seeks the restoration of the 1995 budget cuts. The AUT also wants an end to "waiver clauses" in employment contracts which seek to reduce employees' rights.

Natfhe wants a Labour government to ensure that all education establishments make their provision and premises fully accessible to disabled people. It will also call on all political parties to end tax relief on profit-related pay schemes and commit themselves to adequate funding for the public sector.

Unison, the Civil and Public Services Union, the Institute of Professionals, Managers and Specialists and the Association of Magisterial Officers have all put forward motions condemning the private finance initiative as just another way of privatising public services.