Calif. Court Interpreters Strike to End Double Standard

California court interpreters, forced to strike over the court’s refusal to bargain a fair contract, have strong and growing support from state and local elected officials and the communities they serve in their fight to be treated equitably with other court employees.

Some 400 members of the California Federation of Interpreters (CFI), part of TNG-CWA Local 39521, set up picket lines on Sept. 5 at courthouses in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. Despite months of negotiations on a wage-reopener, the court continues to reject proposals for a fair wage increase for interpreters.  The group has had only one cost of living increase in eight years and they are denied salary step increases that all other court employees enjoy, according to CFI. 

The union is pointing out that below-standard pay treatment has caused a shortage of court interpreters in Southern California, which causes delays and postponements that handicap non-English-speaking citizens.  "The population we serve includes the most victimized people in society when it comes to crime, consumer fraud and employment issues, and our services open the doors of justice to them," said CFI head Silvia Barden.

Separate letters supporting the interpreters have been introduced by lawmakers in the State Senate by Senator Gil Cedillo and in the State Assembly by Representative Mike Eng, who are urging their colleagues to sign on. 

Senator Cedillo said court interpreters are “indispensable in the administration of justice and to California diversity” and should be “treated with dignity, respect and rewarded appropriately for the critical service they play in our Justice system.”

Interpreters also have received overwhelming support from California’s legal community, including judges and other court personnel.

More information is available at www.cfinews.org.