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Notice:
Candidates have requested that the below distribution be made to you via our website. CFI does not endorse candidates for its offices. This distribution is not an endorsement of a candidate by CFI, nor is CFI responsible for the content of the candidate's campaign literature.
Questions or comments should be directed to the candidate’s email address.
Region 1 Representative for Executive Board Statements
Begonya De Salvo
Dear colleagues—
My heart is full of gratitude for the individuals who have nominated me, and those who have asked me to accept the nomination to be their Region 1 Representative. I feel blessed for those who see me for who I am.
It is my sincere belief that all Region 1 members are aware of our need for a strong yet sound voice to face the many challenges ahead. I believe we can all recognize that this is a pivotal moment for all of us—for those about to retire, and those who will remain in the workforce.
We deserve a brighter future, and I can help.
I hope to put my forces and talents to work to support our Union and make things happen. I am a relentless advocate who will not stop as a result of any bump in the road, who will fight fiercely for your interests, and who will use all tools available to represent you successfully.
I am doing this not out of any personal ambition, but simply because I love my fellow interpreters and want to serve them. I am a fighter, and I will work hard to make the Union better for us all. But I also am a peacemaker. I do not hold grudges, and I do not take things personally. Those who know me well can tell you one thing: that no matter what, I will always be fair. These are the values that I am bringing to the table.
Nevertheless, I cannot be neutral in situations of injustice. Our profession has been wronged and mistreated long enough. We have also been discriminated against as a group long enough. I do not take no for an answer, and I always find ways to get what is needed. You can trust me to ensure that all of our needs and wants are taken care of.
I plan to continue my advocacy for safer work conditions and fair compensation. We deserve hazard pay, flexibility to telework based on our special needs, and hero pay. We also deserve steps, and this is my main priority along with a big fat raise. To achieve this, you need a good bargaining team, supportive board, active stewards, involved members, and a strong Region 1 Representative with good communication skills and a direct line with the media.
I hope you can join me in this fight so we can make history together, because making our profession better benefits us all.
In solidarity,
Begonya De Salvo for CFI Region 1 Representative
Roberto Villalta
Hello fellow CFI union members,
I have been nominated to run for the open position of Region 1 Representative. To get your support and your vote, I have put a few words together in the following statement.
I have been a Court Interpreter for the past eight years, I have met a few of you as I work at different courthouses and at a couple of seminars and maybe a few rallies and Union meetings. Three years ago I decided to take a more collaborative roll and started helping as a Union Steward and participated in a few interviews and other situations with favorable results, I have also been invited to participate in meet and confer sessions with management and strategy sessions to organize and facilitate communication with membership.
As Region 1 Representative, I will be coordinating work and scheduling meetings among the Union Stewards of the Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. I will serve as a conduit between the Board and the Stewards and more importantly to you.
There is a lot of work to be done with the continued and apparently never ending pandemic, we must continue to confront issues arising out of new protocols which are impacting and threatening our work. As Region 1 representative I will do my best to be there for you, I will work hard to protect interpreters rights and work conditions.
Vote for me.
Looking forward to serving,
Roberto Villalta
R1 interpreter, candidate for Region 1 Board Representative
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Region 1 Representative and Region 4 Representative Elections
Elected by Acclamation (unopposed)
Region 4 Board Representative - Claudia Morales
Nominees for Region 1 Representative
Begonya De Salvo
Roberto Villalta
The Ballots will go out by regular mail on February 16, 2022 and the Ballot count will take place on March 26, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. |
WE WON!
Hello Colleagues,
It’s time for some good news! After a lengthy fierce fight against Orange Superior Court for their wrongful unilateral implementation of furloughs, CFI is happy to announce that we have prevailed! WE WON THE ULP FURLOUGH CASE AGAINST ORANGE COUNTY COURT!
The Decision
- The Orange County Court MUST CEASE AND DESIST from
a. Failing and refusing to meet and confer in good faith with the Union over implementing furloughs.
b. Interfering with interpreter employee’s rights to be represented by the Union on all matters of employer-employee relations.
c. Denying the Union its right to represent interpreter employees in their employment relations with the Court.
d. Creating non-uniform terms and conditions of employment regarding the hours of work of interpreter employees throughout Trial Court Region 4 in the absence of a MOU or agreement with the Union that provides for such non-uniformity.
2. The Orange County Court MUST take the following affirmative actions:
a. Give the Union notice and an opportunity to meet and confer in good faith over any future decision to implement mandatory furloughs for interpreters.
b. Within 10 workdays of the service of a final decision (after the appeal period) in this matter, rescind the mandatory furloughs
c. Within 30 workdays of the service of a final decision in the matter, make affected interpreter employees whole, including but not limited to paying them backpay equal to the amount they lost as a result of the implementation of the mandatory furloughs, plus 7% interest.
d. Within 10 workdays of the final decision, post at all work locations and website/email a notice of this decision.
e. Report in writing to PERB and General Counsel’s designee that the Court has complied with this order.
The Court has the right to file an appeal. The OC Court has 20 days from this decision to file. If the OC Court appeals, CFI intends to keep fighting.
Great leaders don’t set out to stand out and flaunt their leadership skills. They set out to make a difference. Thank you Lou Lou Tovar and Frances Marino (OC colleagues) for making this happen. Your self initiative to spring to action made the difference. Your hard work did not go unnoticed. Your fearlessness motivates. Both or you make our Union strong!
We will continue to fight tirelessly behind the scenes for the benefit and respect that our members and our profession deserves. We are all part of the fight. We are the Union. It’s time we all take hold of the empowerment and make a difference.
In Solidarity,
Michael Ferreira, President
Carmen Ramos, Secretary-Treasurer
Janet Hudec, VP
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Region 4 Bargaining Team Member Roster is Finalized
This is formally to announce that bargaining team member Alejandro González from Riverside has unfortunately resigned from the team yesterday. As there are two nominees for the now two open positions, Jimmie Villagrán (Orange) and Silvia San Martín (San Diego) are elected by acclamation into the open slots. We now have a complete team of five persons to go forward with Region 4 bargaining. I´d like to take the opportunity to welcome our two new members to the team and reiterate that this local will support the team’s efforts to get the best contract to present to the Region 4 membership for their approval.
In unity,
Michael Ferreira
President |
Candidates' Statements - Region 4 Bargaining Committee
Silvia San Martin
In a region such as Region 4 where all five counties can be represented, all counties should be. I am running because San Diego is the only one that as of now does not have a seat. I am running because I participated in the last round of negotiations and that knowledge and experience needs to be an integral part of the conversations. I am running because I am an active steward with an excellent record and a powerful voice, and more than anything else, I am running because of my love to our profession.
Jimmy Villagran
My name is Jimmy Villagran and I have been a court interpreter for 19 years. I started with the courts when we were still independent contractors, so I’m quite aware that we have always been seen as the low man on the totem pole, treated as the court’s ugly step children.
I know as well that the small gains we have achieved, have been the result of the blood, sweat and tears of many who came before me. We have seen highs and lows, and starting with this next round of negotiations, I will do my best so that we move in one direction: UP.
I’m currently in a place in life where I can dedicate the time and energy required to get the best contract possible. Our number one priority in Region 4 is a decent living wage now, and adequate increases in the future. As part of the bargaining committee, I will fight for the region as a whole: Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego. I am not a politician. I’m not interested in who-said-or-did-what drama. My only job will be to help in negotiations for Region 4.
There is power in unity. I believe that if we start creating division amongst ourselves, we stand no chance at making substantial changes at the table. It’s been proven time and again, a united front will get us the best possible results. I hope to count on your support.
Thank you
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