Your Health or Your Job?

I worked for the Co-op as an LGV night shift driver for over 14 years with a good record.Last year I had an appointment with the nurse for a Blood Pressure check. On the night before, I went in to work knowing I had a run to Dalcross and I knew I would be back in time for my appointment. Unfortunately this run was cancelled and I was told I was to do another run, which could take longer, even though the driver on that run was there as were another 2 drivers with no runs. I said I would do it but, I would need a guarantee that I would be back in time for my appointment, as per my contract. That night one team leader informed us that it was running late but another said at the Tribunal it was on time. The original driver had said he would go if it was on time, but we were not informed. A guarantee could not be given and they accused me of refusing. . I also offered the team leader hours that I was owed as the Co-op do not pay overtime but this was refused. One of the other drivers done the run and the driver due to do the run was sent home at 01:00 as there was no work for him along with the fourth driver. I was sent home at 23:00, suspended which led to me being sacked. The Union backed me to take this case to an Industrial Tribunal. The Co-op offered me a financial payoff which would have been greater than what I could receive from the Tribunal, but I only wanted my job back and refused. Unfortunately the Judge sided with the Co-op even though 3 of their witnesses were found to be lying and requestioned with one Manager having to return the next day. The Judge totally ignored my contract which stated that there should be 24 hours notice to a change of rota and all managers agreed that I was scheduled for Dalcross. The Judge also stated that because the other driver did it in time I could have. When I pointed out that the other driver was speeding to achieve this, he said I only mentioned this to embarrass the company, not that I did not want to speed. VOSA and the Co-op contract give me the right to refuse, but the Judge would not accept this and belittled me in court by asking my age and asking if I was an intelligent man. I have now had my LGV license suspended due to Cardiac Investigation which I believe is due to stress over the last year. Surely we and our employers should be looking after our health. As the Co-op is an ethical company with ethics at its heart is it right to sack someone for looking after their health.