News from the California Federation of Interpreters Picket Line

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September 17, 2007

SAY WHAT?

From our own

One of our colleagues sent us the following email, which we found so moving that we had to share it with you. She simply stated what all of us have been feeling in our hearts:

It is, indeed, difficult to be without a paycheck. Most of us live from paycheck to paycheck. But it is even more difficult to work without the respect of the administration and other employees of the Courts who do not believe in us; and that is exactly what we will be doing if we give up now. Not only will we lose what we have gained so far during the last 8 years, but (we) will be condemning ourselves to the mercy of the administration and its whims.

So let’s stay strong. Si Se Puede y se debe.

May the force of unity and solidarity be with us (even if it sounds cheesy).

Maria Kott

Doesn’t sound cheesy to us, Maria.

And from afar

From: "Tuan Jensen-Lech"

…My admiration and appreciation for your effort is huge....more so since I've decided that respect for my profession is long overdue and that blatant arrogance has to stop here in Honolulu, Hawaii. Much easier said than done!!! the same uphill battle as long as I've been here......What I've learned and gone thru would take all day to tell you, but nothing new to you guys, for sure.....

I have been following the strike with great interest (and) concerns and you have my support in all shapes and forms and all the way!!!!!!. I wish I were there in person, picketing. It'd be an honor!! The future of this profession rests with you.

Thank you with all my heart for your courage and sacrifice. A humble check is on its way to you. God bless!

Tuan

Breaking news from the inside…

In case you are tempted to believe the court’s spokesperson about the impact we are having with the strike, take a look at this excerpt from an internal memo we have acquired. The memo was issued today from a high-level administrator to judges at CCB. The quote is unaltered. Nothing is added. “Only three” was capitalized in the original memo:

9/17/07 10:40a.m.

Subject: Spanish Interpreters today – Status We have ONLY THREE Spanish Interpreters for the entire building today. These three must cover all the calendar courts, all the prelim courts, four trials in progress with Spanish witnesses scheduled for today, all the felony arraignments in Department 30, all the matters in 40 and 50, and the matters in 100 and 56 – 65 courts in all, with well over 100 matters (and more added this morning).

Editors note: On a normal day there are some 45 certified interpreters assigned CCB.

See you on the Picket Line