Derby sent to Coventry

Lecturers' union Natfhe has asked its members not to apply for jobs or engage in any collaborative work with the University of Derby following its refusal to accept the national pay settlement.

A Derby spokeswoman said the university had never signed up to national pay negotiations and was offering lecturers and other staff what it could afford - 2.2 per cent, compared to the national settlement of 2.9 per cent.

Natfhe said it was incensed that the university was breaking the national bargaining arrangements and has asked its members to boycott Derby.

"We hope that pressure can be brought to bear on Derby to bring it back in to line with the rest of the higher education sector, ensuring fair pay and conditions and nationally accepted standards for staff," said Natfhe.