Received from: Unite
Conference welcomes the introduction, from October 2026, of statutory paid time off for union equality representatives to undertake their duties, including participation in collective bargaining. This landmark achievement follows years of determined campaigning by Unite, which has led the trade union movement in demanding statutory recognition and rights for equality representatives. Unite has consistently championed equality bargaining as an essential industrial issue, demonstrating that tackling discrimination and securing equality at work are fundamental to improving pay and good terms and conditions.
This legislation must be the beginning of the campaign to eradicate discrimination and inequality at work, and the trade union movement must seize this opportunity to ensure these new rights are fully implemented, rigorously enforced and used to deliver tangible improvements for all workers.
Conference calls on the TUC to:
i. launch a national campaign promoting the role and value of union equality representatives and the new statutory rights
ii. produce comprehensive bargaining guidance and model agreements to ensure equality representatives are fully integrated into collective bargaining structures
iii. campaign for robust enforcement of the new statutory rights, including challenging employers who fail to provide adequate paid time off or facilities
iv. share best practice between affiliates to strengthen equality bargaining and improve outcomes for women, BAEM, disabled, LGBT+ and young workers
v. continue campaigning for further legislative reforms to strengthen the rights and protections of equality representatives
vi. make equality bargaining a central pillar of the TUC’s industrial strategy, ensuring equality is embedded in every bargaining agenda and every workplace campaign.
Unite
AMENDMENT
Add at the end of paragraph 2:
“These developments come at a crucial time for minorities, given sustained political and cultural attacks, including the impact of the Supreme Court ruling and subsequent EHRC Code of Practice.”
Insert after “bargaining” in resolves iv.:
“(including misuse of the EHRC’s Code of Practice as a priority area for collaboration and the effective use of new rights)”
University and College Union
AMENDMENT
After the sentence in the first paragraph ‘Unite has consistently championed equality bargaining as an essential industrial issue, demonstrating that tackling discrimination and securing equality at work are fundamental to improving pay and good terms and conditions.’ And before the paragraph, ‘this legislation must be the beginning….’
Please insert: Equality reps are vital to workplace teams. Where non-statutory reps have been developed, the role has differed from other reps, focusing on organising around EDI. Achievements range from delivering sexual harassment and safety training for members, negotiating fairer flexible working policies, and providing peer support for migrant workers.
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy