Interpreters Guild of America

Counter-Punch: Retaliation Against EOIR Interpreters

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IGA has heard from a number of EOIR colleagues whose contracts were not renewed. We intend to file an NLRB charge asserting that at least some non-renewals were in retaliation for interpreters’ protected activities of speaking out for improved wages and working conditions. Let us know immediately if you were not renewed and if you engaged in public worker-advocacy activity.
The ideal case will include some reference from contractor that the non-renewal was related to your public pro-worker activities, but these admissions are not required to prove the case – they just make it easier. Send us your detailed info: iga@mediaworkers.org

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Join us for an EOIR/Immigration Meeting Saturday, October 1st at 10:30AM

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Where: CWA District 9
12215 Telegraph Road, 
Suite 210
Santa Fe Springs, CA. 90670
 
For all those outside California
you can join your colleagues remotely
Email IGA at:
iga@mediaworkers.org
and we will send you a link

IGA Coming to your State!! IGA would like to come to your state to offer a Continuing Education Workshop as well as to have a meeting with you. if you are interested in assisting us in setting up a convenient location and dates please send us an email at: iga@mediaworkers.org

IGA Supports SB 1160 (Mendoza) Workers Compensation Bill

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September 13, 2016

The Honorable Edmond G. Brown

RE: SB 1160 (Mendoza) Workers’ Compensation – Support

Dear Governor Brown:

On behalf of our members, IGA wishes to express our strong support for SB 1160 (Mendoza) Workers’ Compensation, a bill we urge you to sign into law.

The Interpreters Guild of America is an organization created by and for independent interpreters. We are committed to advocating for our profession and for those whom we serve. IGA lobbies to advance language access rights, equitable wages and working conditions, and endeavors to safeguard professional interpreting standards. As a unit of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), IGA counts on the support and lobbying power of a national, 650,000-plus strong union. IGA’s efforts in California have helped to pass AB2370, legislation to protect the quality of interpreting in Civil Courts and now we rally in support of SB1160 a bill that protects the quality of interpreting in the Workers Comp System.

For too long, independent interpreters in California have seen middlemen, many from out of state, game the Workers Comp System to increase their profits while sacrificing services rendered to injured workers. This bill works to insure that limited English proficient workers have the services of competent, California certified interpreters as required by law.

We urge you, Governor Brown, to sign this legislation.

Sincerely,

René García

Co-Chair, IGA : Interpreters Guild of America

The Background: SOSi recruiting less experienced personnel to interpret in immigration court.

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While SOSi has had experience in foreign war zones, this defense contractor is finding it more challenging to navigate domestic waters. In an apparent effort to maximize profits, SOSi has recently been recruiting less experienced personnel to interpret in immigration court. SOSi’s contract with the Department of Justice was granted based on their having an experienced, professional workforce with years of experience interpreting in Immigration Court. Now, the defense contractor seems to be looking to transition to a less qualified but more profitable workforce.

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IGA’s EOIR Interpreters Get A Positive Update from The NLRB

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IGA just received some encouraging news from our legal team. Region 21 of the NLRB will submit our case for the reclassification EOIR interpreters as employees to the NLRB’s Division of Advice. This means that before the NLRB issues a determination, their Advice Division will consider the facts of our case and additional submissions from our attorneys. While an unusual course correction at this point, this step is in line with the NLRB’s actions in other recent high profile cases such those against Über and Lyft.

We believe this to be encouraging news. It essentially means that our fight for better working conditions in EOIR venues is far from over. We are in it to win it! 

We encourage interpreters that have received a contract extension to consider signing it and continue serving the EOIR as admirably and professionally as always. In this way we will show that we take our commitment to due process and professional interpretation in court very seriously. While our attorneys have been asked to present additional submissions under a tight deadline, we don’t know how long this process will take. We will continue to use this time to prepare for a positive result.

Keep talking to your colleagues, greet them kindly and get their contact info. We will need to get in touch with them come election time, so this is really important. Remember to stay connected, we will continue to update you and keep you posted on the latest news.

INTERPRETERS GUILD OF AMERICA

Formerly The Translators and Interpreters Guild, IGA was created by and for professional interpreters and translators who work as freelancers and independent contractors. Whether fighting for fair pay or securing affordable insurance, our members understand the benefits of working collectively. Join us.

Mission Statement

We protect those whom we serve as well as our profession and livelihoods. IGA lobbies to advance language access rights, demand equitable wages and working conditions, and safeguard high professional standards. As an affiliate of The News Guild-CWA, IGA has the backing and support from some of the nation’s largest unions of private and public staff interpreters, including the California Federation of Interpreters (CFI) and American Sign Language Interpreters United (ASLIU).

Copyright 2014 Interpreters Guild of America