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THENEXT round of higher education pay negotiations will take place on April 22 after a meeting last Friday was postponed. Eight unions are representing higher education staff, and there is widespread dismay at the Universities and Colleges Employers Association's two-stage 3.8 per cent offer for 1998-99.

The Association of University Teachers rejected the offer outright. Unison registered its disapproval by saying that the 3.8 per cent offer "would not form the basis of a settlement" and that the employers should think again.