Don't take shine off 1

Why has Andy Pike, a University and College Union official, assumed the role of the Lord Protector of the teaching staff at Leeds Metropolitan University and with whose authority ("UCU anger at Leeds Met's glitzy graduation", July 28)?

His attack on the costs of our graduation ceremonies may raise a snigger in some quarters, but, unless I've missed something, he does not have the backing of Leeds Met UCU. I don't recall that we have taken a formal position on the ceremonies. As a believer in trade-union democracy, I think this is important.

In my opinion, the graduation village is positive and is widely welcomed by graduates and their families. Not all colleagues share my outlook, but many do. We don't know what the majority view is because we have not had a debate. So why should a national official decide for us?

Pike couples his criticism of our graduation ceremonies with a concern about redundancies. Does he really think that such megaphone diplomacy will help negotiations over these sensitive matters?

Barry Winter
Leeds Metropolitan University