MAY 6, 2005

In an amazing display of arrogance and lack of respect for the bargaining process and the Union 's team, today the courts in Region 4 came to the table empty handed. The Region offered no new proposals, and no new counter offers to our previous proposals. The courts' committee attempted to cover up their lack of preparation by making a half-baked and apparently improvised "presentation" on benefits. They did not bring any written literature nor did they bring anyone from Human Resources who would be knowledgeable about benefits. Instead, the court representatives gave a very general oral description of the pension systems in each county. When they could not answer the questions from our team they kept referring us to websites for which they did not have the address. Our committee found the Region's behavior offensive and insulting.

After sitting through more than 15 minutes of this so-called presentation the Union called for a caucus during which Torrone asked Menth for additional bargaining dates. Menth had previously indicated that he had additional dates available to bargain in Region 4 because he no longer represents Region 2. Despite the new openings in his schedule Menth did not offer any new dates to meet with our region and did not give an explanation.

After a lengthy caucus both teams gathered at the bargaining table and Torrone stated: "We do not want to have these conversations in such a nebulous way. We want to have bargaining where there are meaningful proposals back and forth that will get us a contract. If you don't have any proposals that we can work on today it looks like we will have to call it a day." Menth's response was "Okay, see ya." Then he and his entire team got up and walked out of the room.

In an attempt to give the courts every chance possible to bargain in good faith, we have asked you to be patient when they have stalled in the past. You have been. Now it is time for action. Please stay tuned, you will be contacted by your Union representative soon and we will explain in detail what you can do to show your support for your bargaining team.

It is time that the courts realize that they are not above the law and that it is not acceptable that they continue to save money on the backs of their non-benefited employees. Our job as certified interpreters may be to be invisible but now it is time to put our concerns in the spotlight and demand the respect we deserve.

Bargaining team: