Merger toasted with cup of tea

If the big cheeses at Manchester University and the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology want next week's long-awaited merger to go ahead smoothly they may need to think a little harder about how to unite their staff. Employees at Manchester are feeling more than a little mutinous after learning that all employees at Umist have been given a day off to quaff champagne in a big street party to celebrate the institution's new beginning. Events down the road at Manchester are somewhat less showy. Staff will be working as usual, with a select group offered the chance to have a cup of tea on the grass with the vice-chancellor.