LASC reaches a new low: Alyiah Hadt blames CFI for not providing VRI rooms in LASC

Dear members,

Interpreter Unit Manager,  Alyiah Hadt, reached a new low today: at a level 2 Grievance meeting regarding auditory damage to 3 of our members because of the way remote interpretation has been used (and abused) in LASC; Ms. Hadt had the nerve to say that VRI rooms were available, but were not made available to employees because the Union would file complaints with PERB. 

As you all know, complaints have been filed in the past regarding this manager. HR did nothing. 

We, as a Union, deserve to be treated with respect and honesty. CFI has requested VRI rooms from the onset of remote proceeding's implementation, and during bargaining. 

Your Union says: enough! we need to send a clear message to administration that this manager is bringing Language Access to a screeching halt in LASC, and terrorizing our members; as well as causing damage to them because of her non existent managing skills. 

Your Region 1 Delegate will be reaching out to you shortly. Stayed tuned.

In Unity,

LOST IN TRANSLATION: SHORTAGE OF COURT INTERPRETERS IN LOS ANGELES REACHES CRITICAL POINT

POSSIBLE STRIKE: The interpreters' union is currently negotiating its contract with the Los Angeles court after three years of a terrible pandemic that took the lives of three interpreters. 

LOS ANGELES, CA- MARCH 7, 2023- Los Angeles Superior Court is facing a critical shortage of court interpreters for indigenous languages, Spanish, and other languages- creating a two-tier justice system for individuals who do not speak English proficiently.

PRESS CONFERENCE TDAY: Please Join Region Representative Begonya De Salvo from the California Federation of Interpreters, Local 39000 at their press conference Today, March 7, 2023 in DTLA in front of City Hall at 200 N Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 at 12:00 p.m. (Noon).

This lack of interpreters leads to an inefficient proceedings and delays, as individuals struggle to understand what is going on or are forced to proceed without assistance, and even await incarcerated while not knowing the charges against them. 

Court interpreters are a constitutionally guaranteed right. The 6th amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees the right for non-English speaking individuals to have access to a court interpreter when they are involved in a legal case. Without proper interpretation, vulnerable and marginalized individuals are unable to effectively express themselves or comprehend the court process. Los Angeles is a very diverse county with over 200 languages spoken; however LA Superior Court is mismanaging the Language Access Funds by not valuing their workforce that is leaving the courts in record numbers, and failing to hire indigenous language interpreters as employees with equal access to county benefits.

The Los Angeles Superior Court must take immediate steps to address the disparity , including engaging with indigenous language experts and community organizations, including, increasing interpreter availability and, and ensuring all court documents are recompense and ensuring all court documents are available in multiple languages. Only then we will be able to achieve equal access to justice for all. 

POSSIBLE STRIKE: The interpreters' union is currently negotiating its contract with the Los Angeles court after three years of a terrible pandemic that took the lives of three interpreters and a record-high inflation. Los Angeles interpreters are the only group in all of California without steps, and they have been for decades with less than 1% raises per year causing a massive exodus that is causing an unprecedented constitutional crisis for the people of Los Angeles. What's going on with the county funds for Language Acess in the biggest and most diverse metropolis in the country? 

Sign Petition Economic Justice for Los Angeles Superior Court Interpreter Employees

Dear NERU members,

Welcome to our Local! We are looking forward to working with you to achieve the best Collective Bargaining Agreement possible. Now that you are Union Members, you have rights and protections in the workplace. Your Union will protect those rights. It's imperative you know that you have a right to have a Union Representative present during any kind of meeting that may lead to discipline. This is called the Weingarten Right. In order to trigger your right to a representative, you have to assert it to your manager or supervisor. It's not automatic. I am attaching an image of a Weingarten Card for you to print and keep handy. As you know, we are preparing to start the bargaining process, so more info to come!  You are receiving this e-mail through our Local's official email address. If you respond to it, I will get any request or comment you send back. Our office manager is Monserrat Sanchez. As most of you know, our Local's President is Michael Ferreira, and our VP is Janet Hudec.  If you have any questions, you can also e mail me directly at: [email protected]. This is the link to our webpage:   https://www.calinterpreters.org/

In Unity,

Secretary-Treasurer, CFI Local 39000 CWA TNG