RepsDirect No 289 - 1 July 2004



From
Head of Health, Gail Cartmail General Secretary, Derek Simpson

The first Amicus National Health Sector Conference 27 - 28 June 2004

Delegates elected by Regional Health Sector Conferences met in Harrogate. It was the first Amicus National Health Sector Conference. Russell Cowell was elected as Chair. The conference was good humoured yet tackled key issues with great seriousness.

Speakers included Amicus General Secretary, Derek Simpson and Health Minister, John Hutton, MP.

Conferences hosted trade union leaders from Swaziland and Zimbabwe who the following day visited a hospital courtesy of Amicus representatives and management. The visit was arranged in support of the Amicus campaign Africa Matters.

On Agenda for Change, by a clear majority, conference supported the motion from the NW Region. This resolution effectively allows our members a free and informed vote in the second ballot based on the information gleaned from EIs and following the Review.

The other sector policy motions agreed by conference covered AfC reps training, partnership - the Scottish model, Foundation Trusts, pensions and occupational organisation. This forms the foundation for the health sector's policy. Motions on general policy matters covering privatisation & PFI, occupational health services, employment rights, harassment and bullying and public health have gone forward to the 2005 Policy Conference. Changes to Rules 5 (contributions), 19 (branches) and 25 (NEC) were carried to go forward to the 2005 Rules Conference.

The national health sector committee is comprised of 29 reps/stewards representing the sector's main occupational and professional groups and Scotland, Ireland and Wales.


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