The first concerns role substitution in healthcare, the second calls for support in getting fair work principles into community pharmacy, and the third calls for all pharmacists in Scotland to have read/write access to patient records. These motions were created in response to feedback from pharmacists in Scotland.
The PDA is pleased to announce that all three motions were carried and therefore have become the policy of the STUC which will now act to enable these proposals so that they can be implemented.
Three PDA delegates attended the STUC Congress 2024, and each delivered one of the three PDA motions: PDA National Officer for Scotland, Paul Flynn, PDA Scotland Head of Policy, Maurice Hickey and PDA Scotland Regional Committee member, Sade Abiola.
Paul says, “It’s difficult to overstate the importance of collectivisation of issues and solidarity with fellow workers in other sectors when it comes to exercising power to ensure fair treatment and opportunity for all.
The STUC Congress is the foremost gathering of trade unions in Scotland and gives a window into the struggles of our fellow workers across an enormous breadth of workplaces. It also shapes policy and determines the focus of the movement for the coming year.
When delegates attend, they find workers everywhere fighting against similar issues of; unmanageable workloads with ever increasing demand vs dwindling resources and support.”
Last week the PDA also attended the 13th annual STUC LGBT+ Workers’ Conference. The STUC LGBT+ Workers’ Conference brings together LGBT+ trade unionists to work together to pass progressive resolutions and policies that will improve the lives of LGBT+ workers.
Previous STUC Equality Award winner and co-opted member of the PDA LGBT+ Committee, Soh Xi Ken represented the PDA at the conference.
Xi Ken says, “The STUC LGBT+ Conference was an amazing experience. To be in a room full of LGBT+ activists and trade unionists, who are leading the way in the fight for better worker rights and equal rights. There was a clear commitment to trans rights as the current climate is extremely worrying, with bodily autonomy under attack and trans healthcare in jeopardy.
I seconded a motion about HIV discrimination, and highlighted the importance of continuing the good work, considering more broadly intersectional identities and how Black African people, especially Black women are disproportionately affected by HIV currently. I also highlighted the clear need for rethinking gender-affirming care in this country to reduce waiting lists for gender-identity clinics and improve access to care.”
The PDA will attend further specifically targeted equality conferences throughout the year to continue its work to influence policy and affect change.
PDA members who are interested in finding out more information or getting involved with the STUC’s conferences and committees should get in touch with PDA National Officer, Paul Flynn at paul.flynn@pda-union.org.
Learn more
- PDA to submit three motions at STUC Congress 2024
- PDA to attend 13th annual STUC LGBT+ Workers’ Conference
- PDA Ability Network seconds an emergency motion at the STUC Disabled Workers’ Conference
- PDA member speaks at STUC Anti-Racist Conference
- PDA to present motion at STUC Women’s Conference 2023
- PDA BAME Network to attend 27th Annual STUC Black Workers’ Conference
- PDA trainee pharmacist members attend the STUC Youth Conference 2023
- PDA LGBT+ Network members attend the STUC’s LGBT+ Workers Conference
- PDA presents anti-racist motion at STUC Congress
- PDA members participate in the Annual Congress of the STUC
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