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Metropolitan University Social Sciences lecturer, Richard Kirkwood |
Lecturer’s fight goes to European Court
Age Concern test case calling for compulsory retirement at 65 to be outlawed
THE plight of a popular university lecturer from Islington forced to retire at 65 will form part of a break-through case in the European courts against age discrimination.
Social sciences lecturer Richard Kirkwood has been forced to retire from his job the London Metropolitan University at its Ladbroke House, Highbury, annex despite a petition signed by more than 300 students and colleagues.
As reported in the Tribune last May Mr Kirkwood who had worked for the university for almost 40 years was told that unless he came up with a “viable business plan” he must take retirement in September.
The decision by the university authorities came despite a campaign which culminated in an Early Day Motion signed by MPs including Islington north MP Jeremy Corbyn a former pupil.
Now the charity Age Concern will include Mr Kirkwood’s case when it presents a legal initiative in the European courts calling for the mandatory retirement age to be scrapped.
Mr Corbyn said that it was the British Government’s policy that people shouldn’t have to retire at 65 if they do not want to.
“However, this is not legally enforcible,” he said. “Richard has proved he is a truly good and inspirational tutor and should be allowed to stay on with the university,” he added.
Mr Kirkwood admits he would be on a reasonable pension of about half his salary after all these years and would probably find part-time work - but he enjoys teaching at the Met.
Married with two children, living in Stoke Newington he said: “I want to continue teaching because I enjoy it. I particularly like the interaction with the mainly mature, ethnically diverse students in my classes.
“I think I’m good at it, so do my colleagues and so, obviously from this petition, did the students. I would have thought that makes me a viable proposition.”
The petition, spontaneously organised by students, described Mr Kirkwood as “an inspirational, motivational and excellent lecturer.”
It read: “This university should not be voided and cleansed of older lecturers who have reached the ‘forbidden age’ of 65.
“Instead we should all be proud and inspired to have a lecturer of his magnitude in our midst.”
Mr Kirkwood joined the establishment aged 25, when it was part of the North Western Polytechnic of London. He added: “I knew that students liked my teaching, but I was surprised by the numbers who signed the petition.
“I teach on quite small courses so nearly all the current students I have taught in any class must have signed. It’s nice to know my efforts are so widely appreciated”.
Kate Heasman, University and College Union Equality Official, said: “Richard’s case demonstrates very well why universities and colleges would be better off abandoning a default retirement age altogether.
“The stereotypical view that workers are no longer able to contribute much after they are 65 is clearly nonsense in a case notable for the glowing admiration of the students taught by Richard, and his own desire to continue teaching because of his love for the work.”
A spokeswoman for the Vice Chancellor’s office said there was no comment. |
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