Rt Hon Mr. Johnson and Rt Hon Mr. Rammell, what will you do about it?

Are you aware? Do you care? How many more good academics have to suffer before you realise the extent of the problem? If you don't do something about it, then who will? Does 'New Labour' and 'New Britain' tolerate injustice and suffering?

To whom are managers (Principals, Vice-Principals, Chancellors, Vice-Chancellors, Deans, Governors etc) accountable for bullying and victimising good teaching staff? HEFCE, QAA, the Governing bodies?

Various surveys, reports and research identify the extent of the problem, but... oh, no, please do not give us another token government initiative. Or perhaps you will say that the DTI is dealing with it. Perhaps you can say that wrong-done academics can always go to their union, or all the way to an Employment Tribunal. How many cases do you know that have gone that far and succeeded?

How many brilliant academic careers have ended due to bullying (mobbing)?

You want 50% participation rates but you are not addressing work-placed bullying (for your information also known as 'mobbing').

May we politely suggest you start informing yourselves by visiting:

http://www.port.ac.uk/research/workplacebullying/
and checking the work of Professor Charlotte Rayner, and also

http://www.arts.uwaterloo.ca/%7ekwesthue/mobbing.htm
and checking the work of Professor Kenneth Westhues
----------------------------
The Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP
Secretary of State for Education and Skills
Department for Education and Skills
Sanctuary Buildings
Great Smith Street
London
SW1P 3BT
UK

Email: johnsona@parliament.uk
----------------------------
The Rt Hon Bill Rammell MP
Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education
Department for Education and Skills
Sanctuary Buildings
Great Smith Street
London
SW1P 3BT
UK

Email: rammellb@parliament.uk