AUT tactics far from 'useless' 1

G. R. Berridge's labelling of the AUT as "the Association of Useless Tactics" (Letters, March 19) looked shaky even before publication of the employers' new offer. Now it is clear that the AUT tactic of assessment boycott has proved far from "useless", and he may need to revise his opinion.

Berridge called the AUT members' action "contemptible", "grotesque", "futile", "imprudent" and "morally indefensible" while agreeing that lecturers had "an immensely strong case".

What was Berridge's recipe to advance this case? "An imaginative and sustained publicity campaign", whatever that means. Would that have brought an improved offer from employers?

So, sorry if our action was morally corrupt, but it did not harm anyone and seems to have brought a rapid resolution to the dispute.

Howard Moss
School of European Languages
University of Wales Swansea