Model Contract Imposed on San Diego Court Interpreters

In May 2001, San Diego Court Administration delivered the entire Model Contract to court interpreters and instructed them to sign and return it by the end of June.

Anyone who has seen the Judicial Council's Model Contract knows that it is a contract that requires interpreters to literally sign away the right to work in the courts as true independent contractors. Naturally, our colleagues in San Diego were extremely concerned about the administration's unilateral imposition of an inherently unfair and unnecessarily burdensome contract, and as a result, came together in an admirable show of solidarity with the hope of convincing the administration to adopt a more equitable contract. Interpreters asked for and received three extensions for the date the contract had to be turned in. During the interim they hired a labor attorney who approached the administration on their behalf. Initially, it appeared that the administration would be willing to consider including interpreters in the negotiating process but after many weeks of dealing with the administration it became clear that this was not the case. The administration finally agreed to meet with one interpreter and an accompanying attorney. There were a few provisions that were eliminated from the contract, including the requirement for the various insurances such as workmen's compensation, medical and liability. A few things were even added into the contract including the establishment of a committee by the administration to address any further issues and concerns pertaining to the interpreters. What remained in the contract though, included an 8 ½ hour workday as well as a requirement that all court interpreters undergo not only criminal background checks but also personal background checks. The majority of the interpreters have now signed the new amended contract.

San Diego interpreters came together and fought hard to be treated fairly as professionals and independent contractors. CFI and BACI congratulate them on their tremendous efforts. It is indeed a significant accomplishment that these interpreters came together in the face of such overwhelming odds. The fact that the Administration of a County as large as San Diego attempted to unilaterally impose the Model Contract should be a wake-up call to all interpreters. This shows how vulnerable we truly are without the legal standing that bargaining rights would afford interpreters. This is a sobering reminder of why we need SB371 to pass.