The AV translation industry, encompassing TV, film and subtitle translators, at last have a collective agreement, finalised after some six years of effort. The agreement was signed by the UJF representing AV employees and Akava Special Branches, and the translation agencies BTI Studios, Pre-Text, Rosmer International and Stellar Text.One party form the employer’s side, SDI Media, has not joined the agreement and is not bound by the obligation to maintain labour peace.“The almost impossible became possible. The collective agreement is a fine achievement after altogether six years of negotiations of different configurations,” said UJF head of advocacy Petri Savolainen.“The collective agreement cuts the downward spiral of the industry and starts its consolidation. The achievement shows how employees and employees who appreciate the quality of the work carried out can jointly develop their industry so that everyone benefits,” said Helena Lamponen.The new agreement provides for a programme of pay increases whereby wages and salaries will be raised during the duration of the agreement.Freelance pricing will be determined on a definite basis, instead of often being according to programme minutes and not on the amount of translation work. A further breakthrough concerns the entitlement of freelancers to copyright royalties“The aim of the parties to the agreement is that the next round of negotiations will set a standard pay level in all translation work,” said Savolainen.Savolainen stressed that for the UJF is also crucial that translation work done for Yle (the Finnish Broadcasting Company) will in future will be in accordance with its the joint collective agreement, regardless whether the work is timework, piecework or subcontracted work.