DEF LEPPARD Fan Fired For Going To Concert

October 12, 2003

Sheffield Star reports that a devoted DEF LEPPARD fan claims he was fired for going to watch his heroes in concert.

South Yorkshire carpenter Glyn Wilkinson (photo) was given tickets by his daughter Kerry for the family to see the band's homecoming gig in Sheffield.

He was working in London and decided to leave the building site early in order to get back to South Yorkshire so he could take wife Pauline and son Glyn Jr. to the Arena show.

But Glyn, aged 44, of Conisbrough, near Rotherham, claims Kent-based Glade Developments fired him — so he took the company to an employment tribunal, claiming unfair dismissal.

The case was settled out of court and he was given a payment of £2,000 after help from the building union UCATT. A spokesman for Glade declined to comment on the case, but Glyn, who had worked for the company for two years, claims he had made arrangements to leave early. He says he was dismissed without warning, but described the settlement as "amicable".

Glen, a LEPPARD fan for 15 years who has seen the band eight times, said: "You only live once and when my daughter gave me the tickets for the concert it was first things first — and DEF LEPPARD come first!

"I was surprised to be dismissed, but happy to get a payment and I still got to see my favorite band.

"I'd definitely make the same sacrifice again."

He is now looking forward to seeing the band in Doncaster next month at The Dome
Union rep Michael Dooley took up the case, which he described as one of the most unusual he had dealt with.

"DEF LEPPARD have a huge following and Southern bosses must realise they cannot turn a deaf ear to a Yorkshireman's favorite band without paying the price," he added.

"The settlement was amicable on all sides, but was one of the most unusual for me..."

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