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STEP ONE:
Use your national mailing list to discuss the possibility
of forming a union for subtitlers and dubbers.
If audio-visual translators in your country neither have a mailing list
nor an association, check our quick guide: “Five
Steps To Creating a National Network of Audio-visual Translators.”
STEP TWO:
Examine the legislation in your country.
In Norway, legislation has allowed subtitlers to benefit from recompense
programs derived from third-party use of intellectual work distributed
in cable networks and amongst educational institutions (copyright monies)
to fund their own independent union: NAViO.
In Denmark, where this was not possible, subtitlers have formed FBO, a
section for subtitlers and dubbers in the Danish Union of Journalists.
In Finland, subtitlers are members of the Finnish Union of Journalists,
in Sweden most of them are members of the Theatre Union. Find out which
existing union has most to offer and get as many subtitlers as possible
to join it.
STEP THREE:
Form a union (or a section of a union) for audio-visual
translators. Aim at including subtitlers from the greatest possible number
of companies on the committee.
Use your mailing list and your home page to recruit new members. Keep
up the relevant lectures/courses/social gatherings.
Make sure membership is fun as well as useful.
STEP FOUR:
Take it one step further and approach the employers
with an offer to negotiate collective agreements. Participate in our international
network.
Keep members up-to-date on technical and other relevant developments.
Establish contacts with academic institutions that do research on linguistic
problems.
Groups and individuals who may prove useful:
• subtitlers
• subtitling companies
• media distributors
• unions and business organisations
• political institutions
• academic institutions
• viewers' associations
• technical suppliers
• the media
Useful Facts:
Subtitling is a craft and an art. Subtitles are the intellectual property
of the subtitler, covered by copyright conventions and laws. Subtitles
are among the most widely distributed and read literary products and thus
vital to the preservation and development of national languages. Subtitles
have a strong impact on children's acquisition of skills in native as
well as foreign languages. Subtitling must be recognised as important,
and this should be reflected in subtitlers' working conditions, including:
• secure contracts
• adequate fees and royalties
• relevant education and post-education
Securing decent working conditions reduces personnel
turnover, which improves quality and increases productivity, thus making
it cost-efficient.
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