Sweet misery

Memories of this year's pay dispute are still fresh at Birmingham University. Sir Dominic Cadbury, the university's chancellor, has received at least a handful of complaint letters after he upset members of the academics' union with his speech at a degree ceremony late last month.

Union officials say that Sir Dominic implied that graduation ceremonies could proceed only because some staff filled in for colleagues who were taking part in the dispute.

One letter states: "We hope that you will feel moved to refrain from making partial comments from your privileged and eminent position as chancellor."