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Nigel Piercy¡¯s recently reported personal insults about trade unionists seem designed primarily to court controversy and thereby attract publicity.

We have, of course, been here before with Piercy¡¯s attacks on staff and even on his own students, which do little to enhance the reputation of Swansea University. While some may question the use of tactics learned at the Katie Hopkins School of Public Relations, others will rightly point out that his target on this occasion could not be less deserving.

It is thanks to trade unionists that the professor has access to a pension scheme, that staff are safer in the workplace, that they enjoy national pay bargaining and have access to expert advice and guidance in the event that they have a problem at work. This latter service is provided to thousands of university staff every year, and most sensible employers choose to work with trade unions, which benefits both the organisation and its staff.

Sally Hunt
General secretary
University and College Union