Under the Region’s proposal:

• Spanish language “F” status interpreters would lose their status as employees if they don’t work a minimum number of days during the year
• Changes to the call-in procedure for next-day assignments for “F” status would eliminate the practice of calling interpreters 10 at a time and the one-hour wait for interpreters to call back for next day assignments (impacting interpreters’ seniority in the call-back process)
• Extend the 10% bonus (currently available only to interpreters of certified languages), to interpreters who are certified OR registered to interpret in more than one language pair. In exchange the Courts would have the ability to obligate interpreters to accept any assignment in these language pairs
• Changes to the process and timeline for requesting vacation would shorten the time for interpreters to submit vacation requests and give the courts a longer time period to approve requests. L.A. is also seeking to place language in the contract that would allow them to combine courthouses at their discretion, something that has already been done, we believe, in violation of the MOU.

Some of the items included in the Union’s initial proposal would provide for:

• Original seniority date to count toward vacation accrual
• Assignments to be based on seniority and geographic preference for full-time relief interpreters, including “A” status OTS interpreters
• Limit the number of locations to which OTS interpreters can be sent in one day
• Establish a joint Technology and Equipment Committee to help provide guidance and recommendations for proper interpreting equipment as well as for remote interpreting situations

Not surprisingly, CFI’s survey of the members shows that the most important issues are: pay, pension and protection of unit work. Neither the Court nor the Union made an economic proposal at this initial meeting. The CFI team is working on a proposal that will reflect the priorities of our membership. We will present that proposal very soon.

There was no discussion of interpreter lay-offs, though many court employees are undergoing a significant reduction in workforce. This does not mean however, that interpreters have not been impacted. Through attrition and other factors interpreters have already been subjected to an ongoing reduction in workforce over the last several years.

For those interpreters who are interested in supporting your bargaining team and seeing firsthand how negotiations work we encourage you to sign up for the Watch and Support Committee. Email us at cfi [at] mediaworkers [dot] org.

If you have not yet done so, we encourage you to take a few moments to fill out the survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TFT9RKT

The next bargaining date is set for May 17 in Santa Fe Springs.

In Solidarity,

Region 1 Bargaining Team

Mike Ferreira
Anne Mcginn
Kathleen Sinclair
Ariel Torrone
Jeff Wilson
Silvia Barden, Chief Spokesperson

Also:

Court Interpreter 2 – Spanish 
General Operations Division, Court Interpreter’s Unit – Essex Vicinage, NJ 

Salary range:  $65,581.68 – $98, 991.21

The Essex Vicinage is seeking a Spanish Court Interpreter with exposure to the legal environment and technical competence in the court interpreting arena. The chosen candidate will exhibit a high degree of integrity, honesty, commitment to customer service and dedication to professional development. Under the General Operations Division Manager and the Administrative Supervisor 2, the successful candidate must be able to interpret in the three modes of interpretation (sight, consecutive and simultaneous) in court proceedings, (including complex cases) quasi-judicial hearings, complimentary dispute resolution events and other court related events in person or via a telecommunication device. The qualified candidate will be able to produce translations of documents (either in draft or final form), such as official forms, public signs, notices, posters, form letters and correspondence.

To view a full job description and application details for Court Interpreter 2 – Spanish (Master), visit the Essex Vicinage website.

To view a full job description and application details for Court Interpreter 2 – Spanish  visit the Essex Vicinage website.

Proposals must include:

• Name of presenter
• Contact information – telephone, email, mailing address
• Title of the presentation
• Bio of presenter, 250 words max (do NOT send resume/CV)
• Description of presentation, 350 words max
• List of learning objectives

Please also include the following if applicable:

• Language of presentation, if not English
• Existing handouts and/or ppt (except large media files)
• List any plans to use: ppt, audio, video, white board, flip chart, handouts
• Name and website of sponsoring or affiliated organization
• List of prior occasions presentation given, with event name and date
• If you already have a CIMCE number, please provide the # and expiration date

Email to: conference@calinterpreters.org
Deadline: May 15, 2012

Applicants will receive notice from the conference committee by June 15. Unfortunately CFI cannot offer to pay for travel and accommodations for all presenters. Please be prepared to cover your own expenses if coming from outside the Los Angeles area.

CFI presents 4 Seminars and a General Membership Meeting
on Saturday May 5, 2012 in Fresno
6.0 Hours of CIMCE credit approved, all in English
Raffle to win a free tablet computer!
Full or flexible half-day registration

Homicide Investigations

by Pete Chavez
1.5 hours, all languages

Detective Chavez will explain how different agencies pursue different avenues of investigation according to their function. The arresting agencies follow certain methodology when collecting evidence and canvassing the surrounding area. The investigatory agency, the Office of the District Attorney pursues a different objective as they investigate the same crime and Mr. Chavez will touch on the different sets of criteria each must follow in achieving the same goal.

Pete Chavez is a newly retired homicide Detective. He was the Chief Investigator for the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office where he investigated dozens of high-profile cases.

The Culture of Illegal Street Drugs:
Manufacture, Distribution and Trafficking

by Jesse Tovar
1.5 hours, all languages

Detective Tovar will outline how illicit substances are manufactured and trafficked, and provide information about how preliminary analyses are conducted to identify and classify substances. Includes communication through music in Mexican Ballads called “Narco-Corridos”.

Detective Tovar began his career in Law Enforcement in 1989. For 21 years he has been a Major Narcotics Unit Detective, assigned to several Drug Enforcement Taskforces in California’s Central Valley. Detective Tovar has been qualified to testify as a Drug Expert in several counties as well as U.S. District Court in Fresno.

The Post Mortem — When the Dead Speak

by Michael Chambliss
1.5 hours, all languages

This presentation will focus on the forensic pathology terminology used in post mortem examinations with emphasis on Dr. Chambliss’ specialty in gunshot wounds, asphyxial deaths and child abuse cases.

Dr. Michael Chambliss holds the highest level of Certification issued by the American Board of Pathology and is a member of Forensic Pathology Associates. He has taught and lectured in different educational institutions around the country and his works have been published in the American Review of Respiratory Disease and the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Gang Sets and Subsets

by Jason Dillbeck
1.5 hours, all languages

This seminar will focus on how illegal street gangs function within their hierarchies and the criteria Law Enforcement rely upon to classify a person a “documented gang member”. Includes how international drug cartels have changed the way in which drug trafficking gangs operate. Attendees will become familiar with street slang used by gang members to communicate with each other, as well as the significance of graffiti and “tagging” activities in gang culture.

Officer Dillbeck has been in Law Enforcement since 1999. He has been qualified as a Gang Expert, having investigated approximately 550 gang related crimes.

General Membership Meeting

lunch provided free to all attendees

Join us for the membership meeting and you could be the winner of a Coby Internet Touchscreen Tablet (MID7012-4G Kyros 7″ Android 2.3 4GB). You must be present to win the raffle.

CFI is proud to honor Aurelio De Los Santos Ortiz for his lifetime of dedication. During the membership meeting he will be presented with an award to celebrate years of service.

Hot topic: Courts in Region 3 are taking notice of video interpreting as a viable alternative for the courtroom. How will this affect our profession? Join our members during the lunch break as we discuss how to address this growing concern, in addition to bargaining and professional policy changes. Board members and union reps will be on hand to update and field your questions.

Schedule

8:30 Registration (coffee provided)
9:00 Homicide Seminar
10:40 Drugs Seminar
12:00 Membership Meeting (lunch provided)
1:00 Post Mortem Seminar
2:40 Gang Seminar
4:15 Sign out

Location

CWA Local 9408
4422 E Ashlan Ave, Fresno CA 93726 [view larger map]

Directions from SR-99 Northbound

Take the Ashlan Avenue exit and turn left, onto West Ashlan Avenue. Keep heading Eastward on West Ashlan Avenue until it turns into East Ashlan Avenue. North Cedar Avenue is the nearest major cross-street. The CWA Union hall is clearly marked and it will be on the right-hand side.

Directions from Southbound SR-99

Merge onto CA-41 Northbound from SR-99. Take exit number 131 for Ashlan Avenue, and turn right onto East Ashlan Avenue. The CWA Union hall is clearly marked and it will be on the right-hand side, but a U-turn will be necessary since East Ashlan is a divided roadway.

Deadline to register early is Sat April 28

Register online or send a check postmarked by the deadline above. You are responsible for successfully completing the online payment. If you cannot register online, mail a check to CFI Seminars, 433 Natoma St. 3rd Floor, SF CA 94103 postmarked by the deadline above.

• You may register at the door with cash, check or major credit card. The late fee is $10 for half day, $30 full day. Please arrive early!
• Free lunch and coffee is included for all attendees.
• Register for a half day and pick any two seminars to attend.

Instructions to Register Online

1. Fill in the form above: select registration option, enter name and telephone number of the interpreter who will be attending.
2. Click the “Pay Now” button, this takes you to a secure Paypal page.
3. If you don’t have a Paypal account and want to pay by credit card, select “Don’t have a Paypal account?” on the bottom-right and enter credit card and billing address.
4. You will receive an email receipt from Paypal, please keep this receipt as proof of payment.