CFI :: Region 1 Strike Bulletin #2

Make no mistake about it, this is war we are proving ourselves to be formidable foes. The Courts declared the hostilities the day they walked away from the negotiating table. Perhaps they expected a skirmish that would last one or two days followed by a truce where they would dictate the terms. If so, they were grossly mistaken. And if they expected the conflict to be waged just around the Criminal Courts Building, they were wrong again.

We're taking the battle to them—we're spreading out throughout the county. Our steering committee's plans now involve picketing in as many locations as we can, to make them feel the pressure everywhere. Some of you will be called upon to travel away from your home courts, from the valley to the city, or Lancaster or the Westside, for early morning or late afternoon shifts—just remember, we are all soldiers in this struggle for fairness and equal treatment.

Inside: The pressure builds

With 94% of our members holding strong and still honoring the strike, the Courts are scrambling to fill their needs, putting over most cases and even dismissing some. For example, we received a report that in Division 92, Traffic, in West L.A., a case was dismissed because a Russian interpreter was not available. In Metro we received a report that an interpreter flown in from Arizona announced in court that she had not been told there was a strike and she refused on the spot to work while her colleagues were outside on the picket line. In other courthouses, city attorneys are refusing to stipulate to non-certified interpreters. Attempts to use telephone interpreting have reportedly been largely abandoned as judges realize there is no substitute for a real, live certified interpreter.

We regret the disruptions to the system we've devoted our lives to, but the court has the ability to get things back to normal anytime it chooses. All they have to do is treat us fairly.

Honorable Agencies

Language agencies CONTINENTAL and PARAGON are refusing to send interpreters to cover the shortfall in the courts. Our most sincere gratitude to these owners.

Hurrah Teamsters

As they get the word, Teamsters are honoring our pickets, and deliveries of supplies as well as garbage pickups have been severely disrupted in courthouses around the county.

Keep us Informed

Remember, we now have a Steering Committee for the strike as well as an Intelligence Committee for information. If you see or hear something the Steering Committee should know about, fill out a report at the picket line or email Samantha Lubrani at alubrani@aol.com.

Remember to supply all the details, including the sources name, phone and witnesses whenever possible.