Union: 'promise was broken'

A row over job contracts is rocking London Metropolitan University, formed from the merger of London Guildhall University and the University of North London two months ago, writes Alison Goddard.

Governors have approved plans to put all staff on contracts based on the former UNL terms and conditions rather than the LGU terms and conditions. Union officials said this was contrary to what was promised earlier in the summer and have declared an official dispute.

Jenny Golden, regional official for London universities at lecturers' union Natfhe, has written to Roderick Floud and Brian Roper, the university's joint heads, saying the actions of university management are "in bad faith".

Mr Roper said: "(The unions) were given reassurances that the default position was that the LGU contract would remain in force until reform was needed. The governors decided that reform was needed. There are considerable operational advantages for the university and the staff."