May 26, 2005

Union negotiators vowed to "shake the money tree" after a May 11 and 12 bargaining session in which the Court rejected virtually all of the Union 's counter proposals on economic issues.

As is characteristic of these negotiations, a tense exchange over economics was short of bombast and rhetoric but long on purpose and resolve with both sides drawing lines in the sand.

In rejecting the Union 's proposals, m anagement spokesperson Joe Wiley adamantly insisted that there is no money in the Court's till for any increases in the package. "We simply can't go back for more," said Wiley who explained that the Region had to fight for the funding to present a proposal on economics that would not treat interpreters as second-class employees on the benefits side and would not include a decrease in salary.

Inferring that the Court had avoided serious confrontation by not making an insultingly lowball offer, Union spokesperson Bruce Meachum said the Court was "very wise not to bring that proposal to this table." Meachum acknowledged management's efforts in finding money, but said they would have to keep looking.

On a parallel track that continued through negotiations on May 24 and 25, the two sides did make progress on resolving other outstanding issues. Tentative agreements were reached on four sections of the contract: Employee Parking; Office Space and Supplies; Performance Evaluations; and Court Rules and Policy Changes. The first two basically maintain the status quo except that full-time employees assigned to work in central L.A. will be eligible for a mass-transit stipend. In the others, the Court agreed to meet and confer with the Union before instituting an evaluation process or making policy changes affecting interpreters.

The parties also drew closer to agreement on the more difficult issues of subcontracting, assignment procedures and jurisdiction over work.

With only six more bargaining days scheduled between now and June 30 (June 6 and 7, 16 th and 17 th , and 27 th and 28 th ) Region 1 interpreters can expect to be asked to help us shake the tree to find the money to complete this deal. With your help, we are still confident we can bring you a complete contract for ratification before July 1.

Region 1 Bargaining team: