00:00It's a row that's travelled beyond the West Midlands and is now national news.
00:04When a shop worker is dismissed after confronting a thief, it can quickly become bigger than a workplace dispute.
00:12That's what's happened in Aldridge, where former Morrison's manager Sean Egan lost his job after intervening when a repeat shoplifter
00:20became abusive in December.
00:22Customers who knew him through nearly three decades at the store are now planning a peaceful protest in his support.
00:30Mr Egan says the reaction has been overwhelming and he plans to run from the Bilston store to the demonstration
00:35to raise money for Acorn's Children's Hospice.
00:38Supporters say he was a well-known presence in the community who greeted regular shoppers, backed local causes and raised
00:46large sums for charity.
00:48Morrison says it cannot comment on individual cases but says its focus is entirely on taking the correct action to
00:55maintain health and safety at all times.
00:58The supermarket says it has clear procedures for handling shoplifting aimed at reducing risk, de-escalating incidents and protecting colleagues,
01:07customers and anyone nearby.
01:09The wider debate is now clear too, what workers should do in the moment, what employers expect and how far
01:15communities will back staff they trust.
01:18For supporters, this case is personal. For Morrisons, it's about rules, safety and responsibility.
01:25The demonstration is due to take place this Saturday daytime.
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