The conference unanimously endorsed a statement condemning the nail bomb attacks in the multi-racial Brick Lane and Brixton areas of London.

It said the bombs had been planted in black areas at a time of day when they would cause maximum casualties. 'As with other outrages, it is health workers who are in the frontline of dealing with the resulting carnage.'

The bombs were a 'racist crime aimed at dividing our communities, yet the health service in London and many parts of the United Kingdom would collapse without the contribution of black and ethnic minority staff'.

The statement also reaffirmed Unison's commitment to the recommendations of the Macpherson report on the murder of Stephen Lawrence.