Exclusive: Mine worker sacked for looking after sick wife

Jun 29 2008 By Billy Paterson

A MINE worker claims he was sacked for refusing to do nightshifts - because he has to take care of his cancer-stricken wife.

Danny Masterton nurses Christine, 53, who has been in a wheelchair since radiotherapy for a brain tumour.

Dumper truck driver Danny paid a carer to look after Christine during the day while he worked at Kier Group's Greenburn opencast mine at New Cumnock, Ayrshire.

But the former Ayr United striker says he was dismissed after he refused to work at night.

Danny, 53, of Muirkirk, said: "Kier did this out of the blue. I'm disgusted.

Last month I was told I'd have to do night shifts. I explained it was impossible because, as they knew, I had to look after Christine.

"On May 21 the bosses told me that, as I wasn't prepared to work nights, I was sacked. That was it. They have shown not an ounce of compassion or consideration for our position. The T&G union have lodged an appeal but at the moment I have no income."

Christine was diagnosed three days after the couple's Royal Marine son Danny Jr, 28, and 14 colleagues were captured by the Iranian navy.

She was suffering severe headaches when they got a call in March last year telling them their boy's gunboat had been seized off Iran.

The incident sparked a stand-off between the Middle East nation and Britain but Danny Jr was released unharmed after 13 days.

Danny said: "I'm sure because of the shock Christine's health deteriorated.

"She was taken to Ayr Hospital then transferred to the Southern General in Glasgow where they found she had a malignant brain tumour.

"She had two biopsies and they said they couldn't remove the tumour so she had to undergo seven weeks of intensive radiotherapy.

"The biopsies affected Christine's balance and that is why she is now in a wheelchair.

"They have found traces of something on Christine's spine and she has to go back for more scans next month."

Dad-of-two Danny, who has two grandsons, said: "I don't want to go to an industrial tribunal and I haven't been claiming benefits.

"I just want my job back and an investigation into the conduct of the people who sacked me."

Kier Group said: "As this matter is subject to appeal and there is an internal investigation ongoing, we cannot comment."

'They have not shown an ounce of compassion'

Danny Masterton

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