Enforced retirement of leading feminist academic 'bad news for students and older workers'

UCU head of equality and employment rights, Roger Kline, today said: 'Too many universities seem incapable of recognising the invaluable contribution their staff can make beyond the age of 65. The idea that university staff should suddenly completely stop teaching or research on their 65th birthday - when they may have much to contribute to the work of the university, to their students and to the pursuit of knowledge - is plain foolish.

'UCU has already had to lodge a number of employment tribunal claims alleging age discrimination. This is not just to do with whether particular individuals have been discriminated against but whether a default retirement age in itself is legal. All the claims are awaiting the outcome of a European Court of Justice decision on the British Government's use of a "default retirement age" of 65.'

Sheila Rowbotham's enforced retirement, which is being challenged by UCU along with other cases at Manchester University, is the latest such case.

Sheila Rowbotham said today: 'I am overwhelmed by the support from students, colleagues at Manchester and from further afield. Unfortunately the corporate ethos and "bottom line" appears to have got a grip across academia whatever the cost to students or the reputation of institutions. My case is simply one of a number of such cases and I would like to deeply thank all those who have expressed support so far.'