Not all NATFHE’s equality work is focused inwards. In order to get justice for members it is necessary to deal with many outside agencies.

In both further and higher education sectors, there are negotiations with the employers nationally on equality issues. See FE: PAY AND CONDITIONS and HE: PAY AND CONDITIONS : JOINT AGREEMENTS for existing agreements.

In further education, there is a joint union/Association of Colleges equality working party, which is hoping to produce a comprehensive equality document. The AOC and NATFHE have been jointly involved in the Commission for Black Staff in Further Education.

An Equality Challenge Unit for higher education has recently been created under the auspices of Universities UK, and NATFHE is represented on its steering group.

NATFHE also seeks to influence government policy through the various ministers responsible for equality issues (see pages for black, disabled, lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgendered, women members for relevant links)

We also work closely with other unions (see NATFHE Links) and particularly the Trades Union Congress (TUC), which now has four equality conferences, for Black Workers, Women, Disabled Workers, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Workers. NATFHE is currently represented on the LGBT Committee by Patrick Williams, on the Women’s Committee by Mary Davis, and on the Race Relations Committee by Sam Allen. We send a delegation of nine to the women's conference, and eight to each of the other three conferences. If you are interested in being a delegate to any of these conferences, contact the Equality Unit to find out how to apply. There is often useful information on equality issues at www.tuc.org.uk.

Amnesty International has a trade union network, in which NATFHE participates, which is an important forum in challenging inequality globally. Amnesty International also operate an LGBT network and a women's network. See their page on Amnesty International UK networks for more information.