Session Spotlight: Fair Pay Agreement with Gavin Edwards

Meet the speaker:

Gavin Edwards has been with UNISON since 2007, working in a variety of roles at the union’s national office. In late 2019, Gavin became head of social care. He negotiates on behalf of care workers with employers, co-ordinates care policy across the union's regions and heads up the campaign pushing for a national care service in England. Gavin is also the lead for UNISON on the negotiations that will lead to a Fair Pay Agreement in care. UNISON is the largest union in the adult social care sector.

Gavin’s recent presentation at Care Show London offered an in-depth update on the development of a Fair Pay Agreement (FPA) for the sector. Trade unions such as UNISON, GMB, RCN, and Unite are heavily engaged in shaping the framework through working groups and task forces. These discussions focus on how the negotiating body will operate, who it will cover, and the mechanisms for enforcing any agreed pay and conditions.

Key takeaways from the session

• Scope and coverage
  Most care workers are employed by independent organisations, though a number do work for local councils and the NHS. Some of these workers are already covered by national pay bargaining. The negotiating groups are carefully considering which workers will fall under the FPA to ensure fair and inclusive coverage.
• Negotiation processes
  The establishment of the negotiating body involves careful planning regarding membership, appointment procedures, and stages of negotiation. After an agreement is reached, member organisations will consult their constituencies before finalising the deal. Enforcement of the agreement will be overseen by a new Fair Work agency, which will have legal powers to ensure compliance.
• Public consultation and next steps
  Following royal assent to the Employment Rights Bill, a public consultation will gather views from across the sector. This will shape the final structure of the FPA and the negotiating body. Once formed, the body, which is comprised pf representatives from employers, trade unions, and government, will begin formal negotiations. This is recognised as a significant, long-term change for social care.

Gavin also acknowledged that while the FPA’s primary focus is on pay, the legislation does not preclude it from covering wider employment terms such as annual leave, training, and career development. There is a clear ambition among unions to see the agreement serve as a catalyst for broader improvements in the sector, including improved levels of respect and recognition for care workers.

Gavin also highlighted ongoing challenges, particularly around funding. Variability in local authority fees to care providers has historically limited pay improvements. There is cautious optimism that political commitment to the FPA will translate into increased and sustained government funding, recognising that properly funded social care is vital to relieving NHS pressures.

On the issue of employment conditions, Gavin also raised the debate around flexibility (especially relating to zero-hours contracts). While some may appreciate the flexibility of the role, many express a desire for greater job security and better terms. The consensus leaned towards reforming contracts to balance flexibility with fairer conditions.

Gavin concluded the session but consolidating how the Fair Pay Agreement is viewed as a crucial first step towards creating a national care service and delivering world-class adult social care in England. The hope is that through these structural changes, care workers will gain the respect, pay, and conditions they deserve, setting a foundation for sustained improvements in the sector.