FDA at TUC Black Workers’ Conference 2026

At this year’s TUC Black Workers’ Conference in Bournemouth FDA delegates moved a motion on tackling microaggressions and spoke on motions about discrimination in maternity services.

The FDA’s delegation was led by Luna Frank-Riley from the union’s DSIT branch. The rest of the delegation comprised of Jordan Brown (Health and Safety Executive branch), Olaide Pearce (Fast Stream branch), Naa Acquah (Department of Health and Social Care branch), and Prince Obike (Managers in Partnership).

The conference is part of a programme of equalities conference ran by the TUC, which also includes the Women’s Conference, Young Workers’ Conference, Disabled Workers’ Conference, and LGBT+ Workers’ Conference.                 

Frank-Riley moved the FDA’s motion, Tackling ‘microaggressions’ at work. This motion noted that the TUC’s own research revealed over 40% of Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) workers have experienced racism at work, with many incidents manifesting as ‘microaggressions’, subtle, often repeated discrimination that undermine dignity, confidence, and drive work-related stress, anxiety, and depression among Black workers.

The motion called on the TUC Race Relations Committee to:

Speaking after the conference, Frank-Riley said:

“This conference marked my second time attending, but it was my first experience leading the FDA delegates. On a personal note, I found it especially moving to present the motion to reframe microaggression from being viewed solely as an equality issue to being recognised as a health and safety concern. It was an important moment for me and, I believe, for many others as well.

“The conference agenda was packed with significant topics, including the pressing issues of maternal and neonatal care for Black women and the ongoing cost of living crisis. I’ll admit, I wasn’t entirely confident that the motion would gain the support it deserved, so I was both surprised and encouraged to see other unions step forward and offer their backing.

“There’s a quote that feels particularly apt in reflecting on what we achieved together: ‘Each time a person stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, they send forth a tiny ripple of hope.’ These words from Robert Kennedy, often cited by Barack Obama, really resonate with me after this experience”.

Acquah spoke in support of a motion on Racial discrimination in maternity services. This motion highlighted that Black midwives and maternity support workers (MSWs) within the NHS experience significantly higher levels of racial discrimination than colleagues from other ethnic backgrounds. The motion called for action to ensure that meaningful and practical changes promote inclusive workplaces for everyone across maternity services.

Describing their experience as a delegate at the conference, Pearce said:

“I want to sincerely thank the FDA for the opportunity to volunteer as a delegate at this year’s Black Workers’ Conference.

“The experience was truly eye-opening and, at times, emotional, but also reassuring. Many of the issues raised in the motions reflected the lived experiences of both myself and people close to me, so it was powerful to see unions speaking with one voice to address them. I really valued being part of such an important event and would be delighted to be involved again next year”.

Brown added:

“The conference was an eye-opening experience into the activity and responsibilities and actions that unions take to preserve and push worker rights fowards in society. It was fantastic to meet and interact with a wide representation of professions and I would definitely go again!”