Natfhe and North Brum

We are writing to clarify the statements made by Joan Short, principal of North Birmingham College (Letters, THES, December 3).

Natfhe is by far the largest union in North Birmingham College, representing an overwhelming majority of full-time teaching staff. Over 60 per cent of Natfhe members responded to the survey to which Short refers, and the widespread and deep-rooted dissatisfaction it showed should not be dismissed lightly.

Regarding Short's second point, that the survey does not represent the views of Natfhe, we are confused as to what point she is trying to make. Clearly the survey represents the views of the individual members of Natfhe at North Birmingham College. However, the regional office helped compile it, distributed it, analysed the results and supported the branch in action taken with regard to the survey.

We feel Short would have been best advised just to address the main issues in the Whistleblowers article of November 26 and not attempt to discredit the branch by distorting the relevance of the figures quoted.

We feel this information paints a clearer and more informed picture than the one presented in Short's letter which was, to say the least, disingenuous.

Natfhe branch North Birmingham College