Praise for Match in the Dark: advocating fair pay and treatment for writers in Ireland
Following the launch of the #SayWhatYouPay initiative by Match in the Dark in November 2022, comes the Writers Pay & Conditions, a comprehensive document aimed at two key audiences: writers and those who pay writers. The efforts made by Match in the Dark founders Dani Gill and Brendan MacEvilly aim to address the long-standing issues of low pay and job precarity that writers in Ireland face. This document underscores the principles of fair pay and transparent treatment for writers in Ireland and serves as a tool for writers in Ireland to ensure they receive fair pay and treatment.
“It is important for artists to know what they can expect, and to also be part of the conversation on fees. The Writers Pay & Conditions document gave professional writers an opportunity to feedback on what was appropriate and acceptable to them for work completed”, explains Gill. By providing an outline of best practices for engaging with writers before, during, and after work engagements, the document aims to improve understanding and standards of writer compensation and help writers advocate for themselves in various professional engagements.
“We hoped that the document would offer artists the opportunity to have a real conversation about their fees and compensation for work. We also hoped it would open a conversation for more ambition and goals for paying the artist, in the longer term”, says Gill. By addressing both writers and those who employ them, Writers Pay & Conditions aims to create a more equitable and sustainable environment for writers in Ireland. It encourages fair treatment and appropriate compensation, ultimately supporting the financial viability of a writing career.
The primary goal of the Writers Pay & Conditions document is to create a more equitable and sustainable environment for writers in Ireland, encouraging fair treatment and appropriate compensation. This support is crucial for the financial viability of a writing career. Match in the Dark articulates the views of writers who contributed to and endorsed the document, acknowledging that organisations will need time to bridge the gap between current rates and proposed guidelines.
A 2021 survey by Words Ireland revealed that the average income for writers was €24,000, with most of this income earned from non-writing work. This highlights the critical issues of low incomes, non-writing employment, and poor pay for writing work. The CSO Labour Costs bulletin from 2018 noted that sectors like ‘Arts & Entertainment’ continued to lag behind in economic recovery.
In addition to low pay, writers face the precarity of the gig economy, lacking benefits like maternity, parental, and sick leave, as well as pensions and housing security. Writers cannot afford to be sick and find it difficult to plan their careers or secure a mortgage. Stress from such uncertainty increases the likelihood of illness and complicates life choices.
Given that current fees for writers do not constitute a reasonable income, seeking increased fees for writing and related work is the only adequate response. The Pay Scale document created by Words Ireland in 2016 served as a benchmark for writers, but despite general increases in funding, many fees have not increased. Pay stagnation persists, even as organisations have expanded their programming activities with significant funding increases.
The Arts Council’s ‘Paying the Artist’ policy aligns with the goals set in the Writers Pay & Conditions document. Both are designed to advocate for fair treatment of writers, but their effectiveness relies on the implementation and willingness of organisations to prioritise the financial well-being of writers.
As Dani Gill notes, “We believe that they complement each other but we would like to see transparency on its implementation. What goals or commitments are actually being made versus aspirations?” Transparency in execution is crucial for these policies to be effective.
Brendan MacEvilly adds: “Policy without implementation is just window dressing. It’s clear that the Arts Council now monitors more carefully what funded organisations are proposing to pay artists based on their AC application budgets. And we understand too why an organisation as large as the Arts Council didn’t feel emboldened to contravene competition law.”
“But leaving it to employers and funded organisations, usually managed by salaried directors, to decide what a fair fee is for a freelance artist is less than ideal. Our document aimed to put additional pressure on employers and upward pressure on writers’ fees. If nobody is arguing the case of the artist, then there is no real pressure on organisations to up fees. The existence of a policy alone won’t force their hand either.”
Transparent communication is pivotal in improving negotiations between writers and employers. Gill emphasises, “It creates a starting point for a writer, as a reference, to be able to use it as a resource in supporting them to speak to employers about pay.” MacEvilly sees it as “essentially a bargaining tool”.
“In a conversation with someone who’s just offered you work: ‘You say €250 is fair. Well, all these writers agree that €350 is fair, and here’s the explanation why, so that’s why I’m asking for an increase.’” The long-term aim of the Writers Pay & Conditions document is to address and rectify the low pay and precarity in the writing industry.
Gill asserts, “More awareness that we need to go forward and not remain static in terms of pay. We should be looking at two years’ time, five years’ time, ten years’ time, and envisioning what will be necessary increases for artists to survive in our economy.”
“There has been some stasis in our pay across the board, despite the passage of time and the rising cost of living. Percentage increases in funding to organisations have often not been passed on to artists, but instead go into production and expansion of programs, rather than improving pay to artists and seeing that as development. A cultural shift is needed here to reflect on why this happens and if it’s the right goal.”
The response to the Writers Pay & Conditions document has been overwhelmingly positive. Gill shares, “Many writers have thanked us for the document which they see as revolutionary in its honesty and clear in its presentation. Often policy documents are vague and allude to goals without concrete commitments or direction. Artists have commented that the document is useful as it shares views, facts and suggestions for positive change that is actionable.”
MacEvilly adds, “I get a lot of writers coming up and saying ‘I used that document last week,’ or ‘I used it recently in a conversation with X’. It’s rare and weird and wonderful to hear people saying they ‘used’ a document, and in such an empowering, practical way.”
To combat pay stagnation, the document needs to be embraced by organisations working with artists. Gill believes, “It will only address the issue of pay stagnation if it is taken on board by organisations who work with artists. This will govern its level of success.”
“We believe that most people want to see improvement in this area, but we sense that organisations feel pressure to develop constantly beyond their means, leading to more core costs and capacity issues. There needs to be reassurance from major funders that organisations who regularly revise and increase their rates of pay to artists will be rewarded with consistent funding.”
MacEvilly highlights the challenges faced by advocacy groups like Match in the Dark, stating, “Match in the Dark lost its funding for policy/ advocacy work after year one. The Arts Council had a change of mind and asked us to seek our funding through the literature resource organisations. And some of them did add us to their funding applications, but it was inevitable that money to fund an outside organisation like ours would be last on their list of priorities, so when the resource organisations didn’t get all the funding they wanted from the Arts Council, we were the first thing on their proposed programme to be cut.”
Improving writer pay and conditions can significantly contribute to diversity and inclusion in the literary community. MacEvilly states, “Ta Nehisi Coates says that, ‘Writing is a game of attrition - you keep going for as long as you can; or in other words, as long as you can afford to.
“Any kind of socio-economic disadvantage reduces an artist’s ability to stay in the game as it were. By creating and ensuring paying opportunities for writers who have traditionally encountered barriers to becoming writers, you are creating improved opportunities for those same writers to maintain their creative practices, to keep going for longer.”
The loss of funding has significantly impacted ongoing initiatives like the #SayWhatYouPay campaign and the implementation of the Writers Pay & Conditions document. Gill notes, “It has halted our work in this area. We are available to work on these things if partners seek us out, and we welcome those opportunities, but we do not currently have any funding towards these activities.” Without funding, advocacy efforts are limited, but the commitment to supporting writers remains strong.
She adds that, “We can only do it at a particular level if we do it for free, unfunded, which feels ironic. We believe there is a real need for this work but there has been resistance to collaborations/discussions, which says something about the sector.”
Despite funding challenges, Match in the Dark remains dedicated to advocating for writers. Gill conveys a message of appreciation and encouragement, “We really appreciate the positive feedback from artists for the work we have done. We still welcome comments from writers who may want to get in touch about these issues. We will try where we can, to support, despite the lack of funding. We also encourage artists to consider membership of unions such as Praxis, to assist them in being heard and supported with employers.”
MacEvilly urges writers to keep sharing the document to maintain pressure on employers for fair compensation: “We’d also ask writers to keep sharing the document, to make it something that employers are consistently confronted by, in order to put upward pressure on fees.”
Match in the Dark aims to create a more equitable and sustainable environment for writers in Ireland through advocacy for fair pay and transparent treatment. The document serves as a vital tool for improving the financial viability of a writing career, ensuring fair compensation, and fostering greater diversity within the literary community. It calls on all stakeholders to prioritise the fair treatment and appropriate compensation of writers, promoting a more sustainable and inclusive literary landscape.
The Writers Pay & Conditions document and the #SayWhatYouPay campaign by Match in the Dark represents significant steps towards addressing the systemic issues of low pay and precarious employment for writers in Ireland. By advocating for transparent communication, equitable pay, and better working conditions, these initiatives aim to foster a more sustainable and inclusive literary environment.
The alignment with the Arts Council’s ‘Paying the Artist’ policy underscores a collective aspiration for change yet highlights the need for tangible action and commitment from organisations. The positive feedback from writers and the initial strides towards transparency are promising, but the journey towards fair treatment and appropriate compensation is ongoing.
It is crucial for all stakeholders to continue advocating for these changes, ensuring that the literary profession is viable and diverse. As Match in the Dark’s efforts demonstrate, the drive for fair pay and better conditions is not just about economic survival; it is about valuing the cultural contributions of writers and enabling them to thrive in their creative endeavours.
Written by Melissa Ridge
Originally published in BND Magazine Vol. 2 Issue 2., Sept 2024
