Lecturer's union Natfhe called off a strike at London Metropolitan University at the last minute this week after the institution agreed to bring in the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service. The union has led an academic boycott of the university since May because of a dispute over new contracts. A statement from the union and the university said the academic boycott was likely to be lifted for the duration of the talks, which begin immediately and are to be completed by February 21.