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Contrary to your report (THES, February 24) "mistrust of CEF chief executive Roger Ward" is not the reason for lecturers' union Natfhe refusing Acas's offer of conciliation. He is not more untrustworthy than any other employers' representative. The slave-owner mentality of the Colleges Employers Forum lies behind the two-year dispute and that is the reason Natfhe rejects conciliation now.

As early as December 22, 1993, Natfhe proposed a contract that introduced increased flexibility while maintaining crucial contractual limits to the working pattern of the lecturer. This was rejected by an arrogant and irresponsible employers' organisation. The CEF demanded an open-ended contract with no contractual safeguards. While our proposals are designed to meet all the demonstrable needs of colleges, financial and academic, theirs is designed to protect and encourage inefficient management practices.

As far as our members are concerned, the December 22 proposals that have been embodied in agreements at several colleges form a final package and not a starting point in negotiations. There can be no retreat from their principles and the sooner the CEF realise that the better.

Natfhe is eager and willing to have a national settlement to the dispute, but not at any cost. This is the view of the overwhelming majority of FE lecturers.

As for Acas, one must hope that this episode has taught that organisation a salutary lesson. Its ham-fisted intervention and bullying tactics are a disgrace. It deserves to be snubbed if only to force it to adopt some sensitivity and humility. The only surprise is that it has not been snubbed before. Or is the truth that in all Acas invitations to unions, it made certain in advance that the response would be positive. Acas's threat to "conciliate" between the CEF and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers is like conciliating between identical twins. for the ATL has already accepted the CEF contract.

FAWZI IBRAHIM

National executive, Natfhe