News from the California Federation of Interpreters Picket Line

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October 5, 2007

SAY WHAT?

Meeting with Court

As most of you know by now, on Thursday CFI representatives met with Court representatives for the first time since our August mediation. The meeting was arranged by Senator Gloria Romero, head of the Senate Public Safety Committee, who has taken a strong interest in our cause and in resolving the strike.

This was not a negotiation session. The Senator's intent was to facilitate an open-minded dialogue between the two parties with the hope of breaking through the current stalemate. The court came to the meeting with other intentions. Senator Romero welcomed the two parties and encouraged both sides to seize the opportunity to explore possible compromises and solutions. She asked the parties to stay and use her offices for as long as it might take. Romero left staff in charge to monitor progress and report to her while she returned to Sacramento. It soon became clear that the court had no intention of engaging in any dialogue. The union opened with a message of flexibility and willingness to compromise. The only thing the court had to offer was that they would welcome interpreters back with open arms and would "ease the transition." They also stated that the Court was not angry with us (for exercising our right to go on strike).

As if that were not enough, John Clarke, the "decision maker" the Court had committed to sending, instead sent a surrogate, Joi Sorensen, who said he was ill. Romero was briefed in the afternoon and was very disappointed in the outcome. She is following up with the court.

Romero Schedules October 15 Senate Hearings

As Chair of the Public Safety Committee the Senator has decided to hold a hearing on the cause and the impact of the strike. The hearing is scheduled for October 15 in Los Angeles. Among other things, the topics to be investigated include why and how the bargaining process broke down, the number of interpreter cases being continued, the use of non-certified interpreters and the impact of the strike on cases and the non-English speaking community. Los Angeles Court representatives will be asked to attend and answer questions. Legislators from other legislative committees and caucuses will participate including the Women's Caucus, the Latino Caucus, the Asian Caucus and the Judiciary Committee.

The Strike Continues

Today interpreters came together at the Santa Fe Springs office to hear the update on yesterday's meeting between the Court and the Union. At the meeting, CFI representatives delivered the news of the Court's to a serious audience. After delivering the news the bargaining committee and strike leaders took a poll of the members present today to ask for the membership's direction. In recognition of the sacrifice this strike represents financially and otherwise, we discussed the possibility of returning to work and continuing the fight by other means.

After a sober discussion and questions and answers, the response was clear and strong. In an anonymous poll, the overwhelming majority of members present affirmed their decision to strike and said they want to stay out until the court agrees to make real movement and address our issue of equity.

We will be contacting strikers who weren't at the meeting to get your input over the weekend. You can also email us at cfi@mediaworkers.org.

Independent Contractors

The fact that many independent contractors have respected the picket lines is an important factor that has made the strike strong. We are grateful to every contractor who is standing with us in the interest of seeing interpreters win this important battle. We have received complaints from independent contractors who are concerned that employee interpreters are taking federal court and private jobs and are either driving down the rates or taking work away from them. Today at our meeting, the CFI leadership reiterated our position that it is critical for full time employees to be on the picket line and that to keep the support of contractors, we must not take work away from our independent contractor colleagues. We hope that independents will also take into account that when we are not on strike, some full time employees do work outside occasionally, and that many F status employees who work on a limited basis for the court have clients and accounts in the private sector, and we don't expect them to change their past work habits.

It is very important for strikers to understand that we cannot flood the market outside with more interpreters.

Donations Continue to Flow

We have received additional donations in the last three days totaling over $6,000. A fundraising committee has also been established to help our members weather the strike. Once again, we remind you that if you are in need of hardship assistance or know of an interpreter in need please contact Julie Drucker, Silvia Barden or Maya Gasca. Donations will also be collected at the CFI conference that is taking place this weekend in San Francisco.