Sunday work appeal dismissed

Steven Copsey says he will take his fight to the Court of Appeal

A Christian who was sacked when he refused to work regularly on Sundays has lost the latest legal battle with his former bosses.

An employment tribunal last year backed Stephen Copsey's Norfolk employers.

Mr Copsey, 32, of King's Lynn, claimed he had been unfairly dismissed as a production supervisor at WBB Devon Clays because of his religious beliefs.

On Friday Mr Copsey vowed to fight on when an employment appeal tribunal dismissed his appeal.

Mr Copsey said he had worked for the company for 14 years from the age of 17 before being dismissed in July 2002.

They sacked me and haven't paid me a penny. I intend to take my fight to the Court of Appeal Stephen Copsey

"I was prepared to help out on a Sunday as an emergency but I wouldn't accept regular Sunday working," he said.

"We should have the chance to keep Sunday as a family day and one which we can worship if we want to.

"They sacked me and haven't paid me a penny. I intend to take my fight to the Court of Appeal."

Mr Copsey is being supported by the Cambridge-based Keep Sunday Special organisation.

A statement issued by the organisation said that employment appeal tribunal chairman Mr Justice Rimer had ruled the reason for the dismissal was because Mr Copsey had declined to work a seven-day shift, not because of his religious beliefs.

A spokeswoman for WBB Minerals in King's Lynn, the new name of WBB Devon Clays, said: "We are very pleased with the recent decision which we feel is exactly the right one.

"The company has maintained throughout the case that it has acted in accordance with the appropriate procedures and entered into lengthy negotiations with Mr Copsey including offering alternative employment."