- Conference
- 2012 Health Care Service Group Conference
- Date
- 16 December 2011
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes the importance of national bargaining in the health service to ensure the delivery of equal pay and equality in terms and conditions for all NHS staff. It is important for all of us, but particularly so for minority groups of health service staff and those at most risk of experiencing discrimination, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) workers.
At local level, there may be limited understanding of – or commitment to – LGBT workplace equality. And in non-LGBT friendly workplaces, LGBT workers are less likely to raise concerns about hostile or non-inclusive policies or practices in general, or about their own experiences of discrimination or lack of equality. Through national bargaining, LGBT workers and all NHS staff can have a stronger voice together.
Conference therefore deplores the growing number of Foundation Trusts threatening to break away from Agenda for Change to move towards local terms and conditions.
Conference calls on the health service group executive to redouble its efforts to:
1)Resist attempts by foundation trusts to introduce non-Agenda for Change terms and conditions and
2)Keep equality, including LGBT equality, on the heath service bargaining agenda.