Getting out of the fix 2

You state that University College London is "about to cement a deal that would mean putting all researchers with more than four years' service on permanent contracts".

In fact, UCL has been issuing open-ended contracts to new researchers and those whose contracts have been renewed since March and is in the process of confirming the change in status to those with four years' service who have had a contract extension.

In addition, a pay increase of up to 24 per cent backdated to August 2005, resulting from the new pay framework and harmonisation of conditions of service with other groups of staff from May, has helped to provide recognition of the contribution of our researchers to UCL's success.

Sarah Brant and Richard Bruckdorfer
University College London