www.calinterpreters.org
Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 AP: Interpreters Face Struggles
Possible Strike Latest Trouble for Ontario Court Interpreters
Interpreters in Ontario’s court system say they may go on strike to protest the government’s hiring of short-term freelancers. The temporary workers, who are not required to pass the qualifying court interpreter exam, are nonetheless paid twice as much as qualified interpreters. Court Interpreters Association of Ontario President Amin Shoukri notes that some of the best court interpreters in Ontario have left for better-paying jobs in other Canadian provinces. Shoukri is quick to point out, however, that “This is not just about fair wages for our association’s members. The bigger picture is about taxpayers’ dollars hemorrhaging needlessly over a bureaucratic mess.” Shoukri’s group notes that freelance interpreters hired through independent agencies can cost the Ontario government up to $90 an hour. Some of the freelancers have never been in a courtroom, and many have not passed the province’s accreditation exam. Florinda Peschisolido, a director of the court interpreters association, says the result is that trials are often adjourned or cases thrown out. “There is an enormous cost to the taxpayer of delaying and retrying cases and paying agencies to send replacement workers at almost double the higher national rates,” says Peschisolido. The association has met with the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney-General to discuss the inequities in the hiring policies, but Shoukri says that the ministry has refused to reevaluate its position. Brendan Crawley, a spokesman for the Attorney-General, says a strike would only prompt the ministry to turn to other interpreters or interpreter agencies to meet the needs of the court. “Should interpreters choose to withdraw their services,” says Crawley, “the ministry will take all steps necessary to secure other interpreters so court can proceed.” The current impasse is part of the larger issue of Ontario’s growing shortage of qualified court interpreters, which has contributed to scheduling delays, dropped charges, and higher court costs. The situation has drawn the ire of both defense lawyers and judges, with many openly critical of the way the Ministry has handled the problem.
SD Panel Urges Improved Use of Court Interpreters
South Dakota should act as quickly as possible to make better use of interpreters and translators in state courtrooms, according to a study committee appointed two years ago by the state Supreme Court. In a report released in late November, the committee stated that currently the state’s judicial system has no established qualifications for interpreters and no standards for paying or training them. After noting the growing number of immigrants in South Dakota, the committee urged the judicial system to take immediate action to ensure that those with limited English proficiency receive interpreting services in court. The panel specifically recommended that the Supreme Court consider setting qualifications for interpreters and translators, establishing uniform procedures for providing language services in legal proceedings, and developing a statewide list of those qualified to serve as linguists. Circuit Judge Bradley Zell, who chaired the committee, said the panel strongly believed that individuals needing an interpreter or translator should not be charged for those services. The committee suggested that language services be paid for with state general tax funds, federal grants, or surcharges on fines and court filing fees. Zell argued that even state economic development funds could be used because people in need of court interpreter and translator services often moved to the state to work and in that sense they contributed to the growth of the South Dakota economy. Greg Sattizahn, the state judicial system’s chief legal counsel, said the Supreme Court will study the report and decide whether to formally propose rules. He added that it might be possible to expedite the implementation of some of the committee’s recommendations through changes in procedure.
(Shared by CFI President Mike Ferreira)
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