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This blog is run by vulnerable workers and the possibility of retribution is too great. Life is good though. How bout you?

Why not just pay them.

As we are vulnerable workers we remain anonymous. Sorry.

YMBBT receives public funding and as such is subject to stringent minimum standards, there are health and safety briefings at the start of each show, and risk is managed well.

References to the law and legal right to minimum wage in this instance seems curious. People volunteer their time here in the same way as one might volunteer to run a football team, and if there’s a charge to watch that team, the funds might be put into maybe buying kit, or if a FA grant is obtained, perhaps used to improve the pitch. I’m not sure an explicit volunteering role is seen in the eyes of the law as employment.

Funders are attracted to this type of project precisely because of the volunteer contribution, it means the funder is getting more back for their buck, it means the show can sustain itself throughout its run, because the funding is used for set up costs, but the volunteers will ensure the show will run for as long as people are willing to show up and help out.

In terms of my own Union work, my focus is on employers who continually abuse their workforces, or seek low cost alternatives to maximise their profit margin. Ultimately, if an organisation is making a profit on the back of failing to pay its workers, then it deserves a campaign to expose its practice. But an organisation that makes no surpluses, exists mainly through public funds and the goodwill of its’ volunteers, is a poor target and the campaign against them a misguided one.

I attended YMBBT last night and it is one of the most innovative and enjoyable prodcutions I’ve ever been to. I know that I’m late to this debate, but I’ve got to say that when I was reading around this morning I was surprised by the level of vitriol reserved for the show re: not paying “actors”. Of course they have the right to be paid for their work, but they also have the right to volunteer to do unpaid work. I’d be interested to know how many genuine complaints you’ve had from Equity registered actors who volunteered and then wanted to be paid? (not manufactured by your own campaign) Most people I spoke to last night and beforehand who had been invloved as volunteers were members of the public who wanted to contribute to something unique and challenge themselves – not professional actors. (The point of the show is that I was “the lead actor” in the scenarios – are you seriously suggesting that I pursue the producers to be paid?)

I’d be concerned if unions (and I hasten to add that I’m not some anti-union fascist, I was a longstanding officer for the NUJ during the BBC strikes etc.) started dictating when and how I can volunteer my time. Each year I still devote time, money and effort helping charities/NFPs make films to raise money and awareness – are you seriously suggesting that I should either (a) stop doing this, damaging smaller charities, to make a stand? or (b) bill a charity that has so little money for my time? I enjoy doing it, it is hugely valuable to the charities and it has a positive social impact – what’s wrong with any of that. I can see a very clear distinction between paid work (as a Director I always paid the extras/actors that worked with me, but not members of the public who volunteered) and informed volunteering. I find it hard to believe that members of Equity can’t – perhaps I have a little more faith in actors ability to make decisions themselves.

I fully agree with you that a level of exploitation exists in the creative industries in regards to work experience, unpaid work and “forcing” people to work for free in order to get their feet on the ladder – I went through it myself at the beginning of my career. However, that is completely different to volunteering and I think that you’ve aimed your gun at the wrong target in this instance, and in doing so slightly undermined the extremely valid points that you are trying to achieve elsewhere in the industry.

BTW – Health & Safety at YMBBT last night was better than it was at most of the large broadcasters and major indies I worked for, but I assume that you’ve attended one of the performances to research?

Thanks,
Mike