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Natfhe has had a long-standing policy in favour of a united education union in post-16 education. Confederation groups meet regularly and successfully in many regions, including East Midlands. With regard to merging institutions, Natfhe's policy has been to protect the actual contracts of those going in to a merged institution, and to advise but be led by the wishes of the local branch. Our members (although not, apparently, The THES) think it is reasonable to obtain certain contractual guarantees, and generally need Natfhe to negotiate these for them.

To suggest that joining the AUT will somehow magically give access to the Universities Superannuation Scheme is utterly naive. To suggest for one moment that lecturers in the former public sector will be better off in AUT rather than Natfhe is to show profound ignorance of both organisations.

Jennifer Craven-Griffiths Chair of Natfhe HE sector conference and executive member for East Midlands (HE)