I used to work as a university lecturer, but left the profession because of the low pay and job insecurity of working in higher education.

I was therefore outraged to read of Oxford Brookes University's threat to deduct 100 per cent pay from lecturers who are taking industrial action (Oxford Mail, May 17).

Brookes' bosses are behaving like Victorian mill owners towards their employees, who are not even on strike, only boycotting exams.

I was interested to learn that the director of human resources at Brookes is Bob Price, the new leader of the Labour group on Oxford City Council.

This speaks volumes for how far the Labour Party has sunk since it was founded to defend the interests of the trade union movement.

Mr Price should publicly dissociate himself from Brookes' decision, or resign as Labour group leader.

I would also urge trade unions to break their links with a party that stabs them in the back, and switch to the Respect coalition, which stands up for working people.

We in Respect back the lecturers' action, and hope all trade unionists support them against management intimidation.

Michael Evans, Marston Ferry Court, Marston Ferry Road, Oxford