Privatisation and the NHS Business Services Authority

Conference recognises the misleading publicity by the Government around their commitment to protect front line services in the NHS. We know the NHS is not safe in their hands and cuts to jobs and services, along with increased privatisation will all be a consequence of their policies. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the […]

Fairness and equality for Pharmacy technicians

The role and expertise of Pharmacy technicians have changed dramatically over the past number of years. However the skills and expertise required by Pharmacy technicians has not been properly recognised by the qualifications that the post should require. The first Pharmacy technicians were introduced in N. Ireland in 1975. At that time the qualifications for […]

Targeted Organising and Recruitment

Conference notes that the NHS in England is witnessing one of the most radical reform agendas ever and public service cuts are beginning to hit health services hard in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. These challenges will have a huge impact on less organised workplaces where non-unionised staff density is high. Conference also notes that, […]

Partnership Working in Difficult Times

Conference believes that the greatest test of the effectiveness of social partnership between governments, employers and trade unions is whether it can deliver real gains for staff and patients in difficult times. Conference recognises that, since 1997, partnership working has delivered real benefits for NHS staff and helped improve patient care, in all four countries […]

NHS Knowledge & Skills Framework and Learning in the NHS

Conference notes that the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) is the tool that supports career and pay progression for all NHS staff on Agenda for Change contracts. As an integral part of Agenda for Change, the KSF gives staff a contractual right to access learning and development opportunities at work. Conference recognises that, whilst […]

Health and Safety Enforcement

Last year this conference welcomed the findings of the Boorman Report which highlighted the importance of: 1)The health & well being of NHS staff and the link between this and positive patient outcomes 2)Good quality occupational health services 3)Early interventions aimed at tackling the underlying causes of ill health and injury in the NHS such […]

Equalities

Conference acknowledges the work which has taken place to ensure that the Equalities Act was implemented on the 1st October 2010. However, we are disappointed that the government has sought to dilute elements of the agenda which could have ensured equity for a number of individuals. We welcome the establishment and commitment which the Department […]

WHY SHOULD BLACK MEMBERS AND BLACK ACTIVISTS PAY PRICE WITH THEIR JOBS?

Conference notes that the public sector cuts are well underway and that Black members are already being selected for redundancy. It is a concern for the National Black Members Committee (NBMC) and the wider union that Black activists are not singled out for their work on supporting members within their branches and workplaces. We also […]

BLACK MEMBERSHIP IN UNISON

Conference notes that Black members remain concerned with their under representation throughout UNISON structures. Many branches still don’t have self organised groups while at the same time employers are setting up Black Minority Ethnic Group/Forums. This can not only undermine the unions’ structures and take away branch development opportunities in terms of establishing Self Organised […]

MARY SEACOLE – TURN HER INTO STONE

In June 2009 a proposal to raise public funding to erect a monument to this positive Black female pioneer and her significant achievements was aired on national television. The ambition to erect a statue of her “going forth”, to be sited in St Thomas’ Hospital grounds on the lawn opposite the Houses of Parliament, was […]

BLACK WOMEN AND BREAST CANCER

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the UK. More than 45,500 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year and the disease causes almost 12,000 deaths each year. Eight in ten cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women over the age of 50. Black and Asian women are significantly more […]

DISABLED BLACK PEOPLE IN A CON-DEM GOVERNMENT

It is regrettable that more Black people continue to experience common health problems such as anxiety and depression. With the Government changes to Disability Living Allowance and Welfare system, there is no doubt that the disabled Black people that have significant mental illness would be more affected. The recent pronouncement by the Government to cap […]

NATIONAL BLACK MEMBER’S CONFERENCE REVIEWS

This Conference believes that with any structure there is usually room for improvement. The discussions at and after Conference shows that there have been concerns about the facilities and information made available. This Conference notes that: ·We have been holding National Black Members’ Conferences throughout the life of UNISON. ·The National Black Members’ Committee (NBMC) […]

STANDING UP FOR BLACK WOMEN IN THE FACE OF THE AUSTERITY BUDGET

June’s ConDem budget will have a disproportionate affect on women and on Black women in particular. Research released by the Fawcett Society showed that 72% of cuts will be met from women’s income as many of the cuts are to the benefits that more women than men rely on and the changes to the tax […]

NATIONAL BLACK MEMBERS CONFERENCE PUBLICITY AND INFORMATION

This Conference believes that information sometime gets lost about this National Black Members’ Conference. We believe that more needs to be done to inform members about the opportunity to attend this conference. Many Black members are still not aware that notification of Conference goes to branches in July and is placed on the UNISON Website. […]